Frank Portelli appeals against Medical Council's €10,000 fine

St Philip's Hospital CEO Frank Portelli yesterday filed an appeal in court against the Medical Council, which has decided to strike him off the medical register unless he pays a €10,000 fine.

The council made the decision in connection with a letter Dr Portelli had sent to consultant Louis Buhagiar in 2003 suspending him from St Philip's because of "repeated complaints" he had received about the professional fees Dr Buhagiar was charging patients.

The council found the letter to be defamatory in Dr Buhagiar's regard.

Dr Portelli yesterday took the case to the Appeals Court, claiming the Medical Council does not have the jurisdiction to fine the CEO of a private hospital, in which capacity he had written the letter.

Moreover, the council failed in its function, as obliged by law, to conclude the inquiry within two years.

Earlier this week, Dr Portelli called for the resignation of council president Josella Farrugia after criticising her heavily for threatening to strike him off the register. The council yesterday expressed confidence in her and reiterated its decision.