There’s a rather confusing article on the BBC website about a Newsnight report on comments made by “one of several people tasked with implementing a new training programme” following the Cass report. This person (Prof Butler) is described as the “top doctor” in the headline, but the article later reveals that he prescribed puberty blockers to a 12yo, referred to him by GIDS after only five appointments, who subsequently suffered health problems and feels the blockers were pushed too soon.
The article doesn’t hesitate to indulge in mud slinging towards Dr Cass by stating, in the second paragraph, the Prof Butler’s speech “appears to” accuse her of “nepotism”. Only much further down the article does the article bother to point out that Prof Butler distanced himself from the comments when asked about them or that Dr Cass had no role in selecting the regional hub hospitals. Prof Butler describes the newsnight use of quotes as “highly selective”.
The article describes the speech as having been made at a “major conference” but you’d have to be familiar with the issues to understand the implications, for the speakers’ approach to their presentations, of what kind of audience will attend an EPATH event.
The article appears to be co authored by Hannah Barnes and Sean Clare. I would have expected more clarity from HB.
I’d be interested in your thoughts after reading the article.