TV doctor denies harassing colleague

A leading television doctor accused of sexually harassing a woman colleague yesterday denied he was attracted to her and said they had had a professional relationship. Dr Alan Maryon Davis also denied making suggestive comments and leering at trainee registrar Camilla Parikh.

Dr Parikh, aged 28, was dismissed from her job because she was not good enough, South East Thames Regional Health Authority claims. She is suing the authority for unfair dismissal and claims she was sexually harassed by Dr Maryon Davis, 51, when they worked together in Lambeth, south London.

At an industrial tribunal in Ashford, Kent, Dr Maryon Davis said he would chat with Dr Parikh on a cordial basis but never on what he called an 'interpersonal' level. 'I thought she was a bright, lively and intelligent young woman who had an interesting background,' he said. 'I thought she would be an asset to the department and that she would make a good trainee.'

Asked about claims that he mentioned Nirvana and masturbation, he said: 'I cannot think why I would possibly mention either of them to Dr Parikh.'

The case continues today.