Struck-Off Doctor Continues Circumcisions Despite Life-Threatening Incident
A doctor struck off the medical register for performing a "reckless" circumcision that nearly killed a toddler is still legally conducting the procedure as a lay practitioner, the Guardian can reveal. This case has exposed what campaigners describe as a "catastrophic failure of safeguarding" in the regulation of circumcision in the UK.
GMC Sanctions and Continued Practice
Zuber Bux, 55, had his licence to practise removed by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2021 after a tribunal found him guilty of serious misconduct. The case involved a 15-month-old boy with a known heart condition, referred to as Patient A, whom Bux circumcised in a community setting. A series of medical errors led to the child being rushed to hospital "in a potentially life threatening situation."
The GMC panel concluded that Bux had adopted a "cavalier approach" and that his misconduct was so severe that striking him off was the only proportionate sanction to protect the public. Despite this, Bux continues to advertise his services as a "circumcision practitioner" in north-west England, including areas like Blackburn, Preston, and Bolton. This is legal because UK law does not require circumcisers to have medical training.
Broader Concerns and Historical Cases
Bux is one of three former doctors identified by the National Secular Society (NSS) who have been struck off over botched circumcisions between 2012 and 2022. In another case, Mohammad Siddiqui was removed from the medical register in 2015 for failures in four circumcisions and later sentenced to over five years in prison for causing "gratuitous pain and suffering." He, too, continued performing circumcisions after being struck off.
These incidents highlight growing alarm about the lack of regulation. Since 2001, circumcision has been a factor in the deaths of seven boys in the UK, including three from fatal bleeding. Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service began consulting on guidance that could categorise circumcision as potential child abuse, reflecting concerns from judges and coroners.
Details of the Botched Procedure
The GMC tribunal detailed multiple specific mistakes by Bux in the 2021 case:
- Failing to consider Patient A's congenital cardiac condition.
- Not adequately informing the parents about risks of a community-based procedure.
- Using insufficient pain relief cream that did not numb the foreskin properly.
- Administering excessive amounts of liquid morphine.
Bux's lawyer argued it was a one-off incident, noting he had performed thousands of circumcisions without complications. However, the panel found he showed no insight or remorse and also struck him off for "financially motivated dishonesty" related to signing bogus sicknotes for his wife's legal firm.
Campaigner Calls for Reform
Alejandro Sanchez, head of human rights at the NSS, condemned the situation, stating: "The fact that Mr Bux can perfectly legally continue to circumcise boys is a catastrophic failure of child safeguarding that is endangering the lives of boys." He argued that ritual circumcision is medically unnecessary and violates children's rights, calling for it to be performed only by doctors and only when medically necessary, with decisions deferred until adulthood.
On his website, Bux offers circumcisions for "religious/cosmetic reasons" for babies up to six months old, mentioning his experience since 2003 and former role as a GP senior partner. The site notes he is no longer GMC-registered but does not explain why. Bux has been approached for comment on this story.
