‘Jihad’ GP exposed by the Mail given all clear to return to NHS work
A GP suspended after The Mail on Sunday exposed him as the leader of a banned extremist group has been cleared to return to work.
Abdul Wahid, 55, was the leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which called for jihad on the streets of London days after the Hamas terror attack on Israel last October.
The extremist chief himself praised the attack as a ‘welcome punch on the nose’ for Israel.
But a week after the march, the MoS uncovered Wahid’s identity, revealing how he had been practising as a GP for more than 20 years under his real name, Wahid Asif Shaida.
Patients at the suburban surgery in north-west London had no idea of his double life as the UK head of a global extremist group.
NHS England suspended Wahid and, in January, the then home
‘Insufficient evidence’
secretary James Cleverly proscribed Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terror group, making membership punishable with a jail term of up to 14 years.
However, an NHS England panel has now cleared him to return to work following an investigation into his alleged conduct.
An NHS London spokesman said: ‘We take any issues relating to professional conduct seriously and have procedures in place to make sure that individuals are fit to work in the NHS.
‘Following a thorough investigation, the evidence regarding Dr Shaida’s conduct and practice was considered by an NHS England Panel at an oral hearing on 11 July, in accordance with regulations and published policy.
‘No evidence was found that he has had involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir since the organisation was proscribed. The panel found there was insufficient evidence to warrant removing Dr Shaida from the performers’ list, but decided that conditions should be imposed, to manage a safe return to practice, for both staff and patients.
‘Dr Shaida is therefore able to return to practice, subject to those conditions,’ which the spokesman described as ‘confidential’.
A separate probe by the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, is believed to be ongoing.
Wahid raised £51,981 on the website Crowd-Justice to fight his suspension. On his fundraising page, he described his past as leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir as ‘political activity’. Within hours of the October 7 attacks, Wahid told a podcast that Hamas terrorists were ‘brave mujahideen’ who gave the enemy ‘a very welcome punch on the nose’.
Days later, he led marches outside the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in London, where Hizb ut-Tahrir members demanded an invasion to rescue Palestinians.
When a speaker shouted, ‘What is the solution to liberate people in the concentration camp called Palestine?’ they shouted back: ‘Jihad! Jihad! Jihad!’ Wahid told the crowd: ‘Victory is coming and everyone has to choose a side. Whose side are you going to be on?’
A GMC spokesman said: ‘We are fully aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding Dr Wahid Asif Shaida, and are looking into this.
‘We thoroughly investigate concerns that suggest patient safety or the public’s confidence in doctors may be at risk and we take action where it is necessary.’