ALMOST 16,000 people have signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Derry doctor Anne McCloskey as it emerged she is to appeal her suspension by health chiefs.
Earlier this month the Health and Social Care Board confirmed that Dr McCloskey had been suspended as a "precautionary measure" after she posted anti-vaccination comments.
In a Facebook video Dr McCloskey said that the majority of patients under her care were fully vaccinated but presented as "sick, distressed worried and traumatised people".
She described the vaccine as an "experimental genetic therapy" and claimed that many people had been "bribed or bullied" into receiving both doses or else face the removal of their "basic human rights", such as travel and meeting friends.
Recent figures show that 70 per cent of the north's Covid patients being treated in intensive care have not received a vaccine.
A petition titled Reinstate Dr Anne McCloskey had attracted more than 15,800 signatures last night.
Dr McCloskey said she always puts patient welfare first.
"Over 40 years I have always practised medicine face to face and it has always been patient focused," she said.
"My record will show my first and only loyalty is to my patients. I have absolutely no regrets and welcome the opportunity to defend my good name."
Her solicitor Michael Brentnall confirmed his client is to appeal her suspension.
"Dr McCloskey is on record as merely putting forward legitimately held concerns around the Covid-19 vaccines," he said.
"Furthermore she denies any breach of client confidentiality.
"The concerns put forward by our client are legitimately held and she bases those concerns on publicly available scientific evidence.
"She calls for further investigation into the vaccine roll out, especially for children."
A spokeswoman for the HSCB said it "is following process in relation to this investigation, it is not appropriate to respond further at this stage".
