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From The Times
October 23, 2000

Bungling doctor escapes law suits

By Clare Sterling
RODNEY LEDWARD, the disgraced gynaecologist, may escape compensation claims after a new move by his victims’ solicitors. Many victims have been told that they will have to put up their own money to proceed with legal action against the bungling consultant.

Scores of women were pursuing cases against Dr Ledward, 62 — dubbed The Butcher by victims — on a no-win, no-fee basis. He is living in Ireland after a damning public inquiry.

The solicitors handling 20 to 30 of the claims, Thomson, Snell and Passmore, based in Tunbridge Wells, have told a “significant” number of the women that they can no longer act for them on that basis. Sarah Yellop, a spokeswoman, said: “We have to look at it from a business point of view. If the prospects do not look good we can’t take it further.”

This has left many victims fearing that no more cases are likely to be successful against Dr Ledward. Brenda Johnson, 53, of the Ledward Victims’ Support Group, said: “The private cases are struggling because the barristers for his side are brilliant. Many women will now give up.”

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