A Brisbane surgeon being investigated over sexual and professional misconduct allegations has called for an apology from the MP who revealed the claims in state parliament. Dr William Braun wants the right to respond after Liberal National Party MP Ros Bates used parliamentary privilege to table letters in which medical practitioners made a range of complaints about him. He has now accused Ms Bates of misleading parliament by not contacting him first to verify the claims, and has called for her to apologise. “The tabling of these documents and your parliamentary speeches concerning me has caused irreparable damage to my professional and personal reputation, damaged my surgical practice … and caused significant concern to me and my family,” Dr Braun wrote in a letter to Ms Bates on Monday. “At no point (did) you ever extended the courtesy by making an attempt to contact me to ascertain the accuracy of these anonymous allegations and ensure the information you tabled was truthful and not misleading to the parliament. “In my view, the material you tabled contained serious misrepresentations and/or omissions that has misled the parliament.” In February, Ms Bates told parliament complaints from medical practitioners and drug company representatives were ignored by government agencies and regulatory bodies. She says she felt it was her duty to raise their claims. “Several patients and doctors have expressed their relief that these matters are finally being taken seriously and are under investigation,” she said on Tuesday. Their allegations included that Dr Braun inappropriately touched female colleagues and invited them to engage in sex acts with him, told women they wouldn’t make good surgeons, and physically intimidated staff. Those claims are being investigated by the state’s health department and the health ombudsman. Dr Braun has also written to parliamentary Speaker Curtis Pitt, asking to tell parliament his side of the story.
