The chief executive of the health board that employed disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel has claimed that junior staff mistakenly destroyed crucial evidence demanded by an official public inquiry. Nicky Connor of NHS Tayside stated the documents were binned during an office clear-out, an act that could lead to criminal charges for those involved.
Shredded Logbooks and a 'Do Not Destroy' Order
Approximately 40 theatre logbooks, some dating back to the 1960s, were sent for confidential destruction in July 2025. This occurred despite a clear 'Do Not Destroy' notice issued by the Eljamel Inquiry in October 2024. The order was a legal instruction to preserve all relevant materials for the investigation into the rogue neurosurgeon's practices.
According to a damning dossier released under freedom of information laws, the logbooks were discovered in a cupboard that had belonged to a retired senior charge nurse. Junior staff, while tidying the area, consulted the board's information governance team and were advised to dispose of the materials in line with standard policy. Ms Connor admitted she was not informed of the incident until September 2025, and failed to notify Health Secretary Neil Gray for almost two months.
Leadership Under Fire and Political Outrage
The revelation has sparked fury from campaigners and politicians alike. Jules Rose, a leading campaigner for Eljamel's victims and a former patient herself, condemned the act. "This demonstrates a shocking disregard for the Do Not Destroy notice and exposes a culture where accountability is simply not taken seriously within NHS Tayside," she said.
Ms Connor was summoned to an emergency meeting with Mr Gray on 27 November 2025. Minutes show the Cabinet Secretary "expressed his anger and that of patients" and warned the blunder would further erode trust. In correspondence, Mr Gray stressed the destruction could be viewed as a breach of the Inquiries Act 2005, an offence punishable by up to six months in prison.
Political reaction has been severe. Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie called it "at best a catastrophic mistake and at worst a cover-up." Liz Smith for the Scottish Conservatives stated it was "unforgivable," while Willie Rennie of the Lib Dems accused Ms Connor of cowardice for blaming junior staff who had followed management advice.
Timeline of a 'Catastrophic Mistake'
A detailed timeline of events highlights systemic failures:
- October 2024: The Eljamel Inquiry issues its 'Do Not Destroy' notice.
- 24 July 2025: Theatre logbooks are placed into confidential waste and destroyed.
- 28 August 2025: Police Scotland requests seizure of the very same logbooks.
- 9 September 2025: The incident is escalated to the Chief Executive's team.
- 27 November 2025: Health Secretary Neil Gray demands answers in a formal letter.
An NHS Tayside spokesman stated the individuals involved were unaware of the link to Eljamel and called the disposal an error. The board has apologised and launched an external review to prevent recurrence. Both Police Scotland and the public inquiry have been informed of the investigation's findings.
