Mohammed Asif, a consultant lung specialist at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank, has been suspended over sexual misconduct allegations. He was removed from his post several weeks ago, according to sources.
Previous disciplinary actions
Asif's suspension follows prior incidents. In 2013, he made "sexually motivated" comments to two women while visiting Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. Although the woman involved did not complain, colleagues who witnessed the incident raised concerns with management. He was suspended from the Golden Jubilee but returned within eight weeks.
In 2017, he was again accused of inappropriate conduct with a medical representative, allegedly reducing her to tears by inviting her into his office and producing a bottle of champagne. Police investigated, but prosecutors dropped the action.
GMC warning and censure
The General Medical Council (GMC) issued a warning but decided against a full hearing, allowing Asif to return to work. A censure was placed before his name on the register for five years, visible to future employers on request.
The GMC findings stated: "In April 2013, and again in May 2017, Asif made inappropriate comments to female colleagues in the workplace. His comments were sexually motivated. This conduct does not meet the standards required of a doctor. It risks bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated."
Legal actions and hospital response
In 2024, Brian Connolly, then 60, filed a £250,000 legal action against the NHS, claiming Asif removed part of his lungs after insisting it was cancerous, but it turned out to be healthy. The operation took place at the Golden Jubilee in August 2019. Connolly said he was left with severe breathing difficulties and unable to work.
In 2020, Asif was also accused of another surgery error involving Stacey Ruthven, where he allegedly performed an invasive thoracotomy to remove a tumour that wasn't cancerous in 2016.
A source said: "Asif has been in trouble before and, despite previous complaints and suspensions, NHS bosses gave him this top job. Now, six months in, there is a new sexual complaint against him. And now the health board is being forced to find an interim manager while he is suspended again. He is the top guy and there isn’t anyone else so they keep giving him these roles."
A spokeswoman for the Golden Jubilee said: "We do not comment on individual cases and will always respect staff confidentiality. When concerns are raised, we have robust processes in place to ensure they are taken seriously, investigated appropriately and acted upon where necessary. We do not tolerate behaviour that falls short of our values or that has the potential to compromise the safe, respectful and supportive environment we strive to provide for patients, visitors and staff. Where concerns are identified, appropriate action is taken in line with our policies and governance arrangements."
