NHS doctor told junior GP she 'looked like Beyonce' and insisted on rating her work clothes

23 November 2022, 19:57

The doctor was suspended for four months
The doctor was suspended for four months. Picture: Google/Alamy

By Kit Heren

An NHS doctor has been suspended after becoming infatuated with a female colleague and telling her she reminded him of Beyoncé.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Dr Raviraj Karkera, who was at the Verwood Surgery in Dorset, told a junior doctor that she had "hair like Beyoncé" and that she should "let it down" and "work it".

He also told the woman that he could not stop thinking about her, blaming mistakes he made at work on thoughts about her keeping him up at night, according to an employment tribunal.

He also insisted on rating her clothes on another occasion, telling her that one outfit was "functional but not wow".

Sexual harassment victim puts the Mayor on the spot

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel said some of Dr Karkera's behaviour between November and December 2019 was "sexually motivated in pursuit of a sexual relationship".

He has been suspended from working for a doctor for four months, although he retired in October ahead of the tribunal.

Dr Karkera, who worked at the surgery from 1998, reportedly have wiped the woman's face with his hand, and said: "Now you are back to perfect."

He also pulled her hair out of her bun, telling her she should "let [her] hair down and work it."

Dr Karkera took a photo without the woman's permission, and told her she had "impressive Beyonce style hair work".

Shelagh Fogarty opens up about experience of sexual harassment

He later invited the woman to his office for a coffee and said he wanted to begin rating her outfits, the tribunal heard.

He said: "What you're wearing today is functional but not wow.

"I want to set you a challenge every Monday to wear something that's more wow and I can rate your outfits."

When the woman left, he was said to have called her "selfish".

The tribunal found that Dr Karkera was "infatuated" with his colleague and that "in the absence of any other credible explanation his actions cannot have been anything other than sexually motivated in pursuit of a sexual relationship".

Read more: 'I cried almost everyday': Former Parliament worker details shocking sexual harassment

Read more: Journalist lifts lid on shocking culture of sexual harassment in Westminster

His actions had "a significant negative impact on his colleague", the tribunal heard, although it was noted he posed a low risk to patients.

In a farewell message to his former colleagues, Dr Karkera said: "It has been my pleasure and privilege to have been a General Practitioner in Verwood and the surrounding areas for the past 24 years and a medical career which started in 1986, the time has certainly flown by.

"I have been lucky to have been supported by our wonderful staff and fellow GPs."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sir Chris Hoy said 'if you're over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor' for screening

Sir Chris Hoy calls for men to be offered prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 after his terminal diagnosis

Kamala Harris went door-knocking in Pennsylvania on the night before the election

Kamala Harris surprises residents in Pennsylvania as she goes door-knocking in final bid to win votes

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year amid as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Hundreds of people died in the devastating flooding in Spain

British man who survived Valencia floods describes hearing his neighbours’ horrifying final screams before they died

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience

Live
US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls as election day arrives

US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls in the final race for the White House

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK