Privy Council upholds RCVS decision to strike off South Wales vet

The Privy Council has today upheld an RCVS decision to strike a member off the Register for being unfit to practise veterinary surgery.

Mr Maurice Kirk of St Donat's, Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan, had been convicted of 11 criminal offences for which the RCVS Disciplinary Committee found him unfit to practise veterinary surgery at a hearing in May 2002 and directed that his name be removed from the RCVS Register. Mr Kirk was also found guilty of a separate charge of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect and was to be suspended from the Register for six months. Mr Kirk subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and has remained eligible to practise until today.

After due consideration of Mr Kirk’s appeal the Privy Council delivered its judgment this morning advising that it should be dismissed with costs.

The Law Lords stated that, “…veterinary surgeons as professionals have wider duties than the care of animals. They are expected to conduct themselves generally in accordance with the standards of professional men and women and failure to do so may reflect upon the reputation of the profession as a whole.”

Following his unsuccessful appeal, Mr Kirk has been removed from the Register with immediate effect and is no longer permitted to practise veterinary surgery.