Dr Rahmeh ALADWAN, Unreported 27 November 2025
Summary
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a trainee in Trauma and Orthopaedics, was subject to an Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) hearing from 24–26 November 2025, following a referral by the GMC due to concerns about her social media activity.
The GMC alleged that Dr Aladwan had made antisemitic, racist, and offensive posts on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), including content that appeared to support terrorism, deny sexual violence, and use Holocaust and Nazi imagery. The GMC argued that these posts could undermine public confidence in the medical profession and that an interim suspension was necessary in the public interest. They also noted an escalation in the tone of her posts after a previous IOT in September 2025, and following a Manchester synagogue attack in October 2025.
Dr Aladwan denied making racist or hate speech, asserting her posts were legitimate political speech protected under Article 10 ECHR. Her counsel argued there was no evidence of impact on patient safety or her ability to practise, and that the GMC’s actions were a response to pressure from lobbying groups rather than genuine risk. The defence also highlighted that no patient complaints had been made and that Dr Aladwan had previously been arrested but not charged.
The Tribunal considered the seriousness and persistence of the allegations, the risk of repetition, and the potential impact on public confidence. It noted that Dr Aladwan had continued posting despite previous advice from the GMC, and expressed concern about her insight into the seriousness of the allegations.
While there was no evidence of patient harm, the Tribunal found that the alleged conduct could undermine confidence in the profession. The Tribunal concluded that an interim suspension for 15 months was necessary and proportionate in the public interest, as conditions would not adequately address the risks identified. The order is subject to review within six months.
The GMC alleged that Dr Aladwan had made antisemitic, racist, and offensive posts on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), including content that appeared to support terrorism, deny sexual violence, and use Holocaust and Nazi imagery. The GMC argued that these posts could undermine public confidence in the medical profession and that an interim suspension was necessary in the public interest. They also noted an escalation in the tone of her posts after a previous IOT in September 2025, and following a Manchester synagogue attack in October 2025.
Dr Aladwan denied making racist or hate speech, asserting her posts were legitimate political speech protected under Article 10 ECHR. Her counsel argued there was no evidence of impact on patient safety or her ability to practise, and that the GMC’s actions were a response to pressure from lobbying groups rather than genuine risk. The defence also highlighted that no patient complaints had been made and that Dr Aladwan had previously been arrested but not charged.
The Tribunal considered the seriousness and persistence of the allegations, the risk of repetition, and the potential impact on public confidence. It noted that Dr Aladwan had continued posting despite previous advice from the GMC, and expressed concern about her insight into the seriousness of the allegations.
While there was no evidence of patient harm, the Tribunal found that the alleged conduct could undermine confidence in the profession. The Tribunal concluded that an interim suspension for 15 months was necessary and proportionate in the public interest, as conditions would not adequately address the risks identified. The order is subject to review within six months.