Pilot wins pounds 800,000 over failed operation

A BRITISH Airways pilot whose "life was destroyed" after an operation to reverse a circumcision, was awarded pounds 800,000 damages in settlement of his High Court action against an eminent surgeon yesterday.

Father of three James Williams, 42, had sued consultant surgeon John Pryor for pounds 3m for alleged negligence during the operation in 1994 at the Lister Hospital, Chelsea, London, which left him "grossly genetically mutilated". He lost his job as a pilot and his flying licence and his marriage ended soon afterwards.

Yesterday, on the fourth day of the hearing, Mr Williams' counsel, Nicholas Leviseur, told Judge Kenny that the parties had reached terms. The judge said: "I think the parties are extremely well advised and I commend the settlement."

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.