The doctor who issued medical certificates to conman Patrick Spiteri claiming inability to travel due to the onset of multiple sclerosis is a reputable neurologist, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

Repeated attempts to obtain a comment from Dr Paul Jarman, before and after Mr Spiteri was arrested in the UK on suspicion that he has been dodging the Maltese justice system with these certificates, have however proved futile.

Questions were sent to different outlets where the London-based Dr Jarman practices. He was asked whether he issued certificates and, if he did, whether he still stood by the assessment that Mr Spiteri could not travel.  

Mr Spiteri, 50, has been presenting medical certificates since October, 2013 claiming he is unable to travel to Malta where he is facing fraud and misappropriation charges amounting to more than €10 million, in eight cases.

When he was arrested on November 8 in the village of Churt, 75 kilometres south of London, he walked normally, according to Surrey police sources. Moreover, when officers moved in to arrest him, he was found hiding underneath a bed.

Former Tory MEP Tom Spencer, who part-owns the €4 million country mansion Mr Spiteri was found living in, indicated to this newspaper he did not believe the medical claims.

More in The Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium. 

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