The ongoing controversy surrounding Highland GP Dr Andrew McFarlane has ignited fierce debate across Scotland, with calls mounting for his suspension following his online harassment of Ellie Wilson, a woman who was raped by his son. The case, which has drawn national attention, highlights the complex intersection of professional accountability, survivor advocacy, and the responsibilities of medical practitioners in the digital age.
According to BBC Scotland, Dr McFarlane, 61, was arrested and charged with communications offences in August 2025 after posting a series of abusive comments about Ms Wilson on the social media platform X. In his posts, Dr McFarlane referred to Ms Wilson as a "manipulative liar," a "slut," and a "hippo," sparking outrage from advocacy groups and the public alike. These posts were not isolated remarks; Dr McFarlane also shared screenshots of private and sexual conversations between his son and Ms Wilson, further intensifying the distress experienced by the survivor.
The background to this disturbing episode is equally harrowing. In July 2022, Daniel McFarlane, Dr McFarlane's son, was convicted of raping Ms Wilson and sentenced to five years in prison. The assaults took place between December 2017 and February 2018, when both Daniel and Ellie were students at the University of Glasgow. The conviction was secured in part due to a covert recording Ms Wilson made of a conversation with Daniel, in which he admitted to the rape. In the recording, Daniel told Ms Wilson, "I feel good knowing I am not in prison." This chilling admission became a cornerstone of the prosecution's case.
Following her ordeal, Ms Wilson has become a vocal campaigner for survivors of male sexual violence. Yet, instead of finding closure, she has faced a new wave of harassment—this time from the father of her convicted attacker. Dr McFarlane began publicly questioning the legitimacy of his son's conviction, claiming that Daniel was the true victim of a miscarriage of justice and alleging that Ms Wilson had threatened, blackmailed, and abused his son. According to BBC Scotland, these actions led Rape Crisis Scotland to file two formal complaints with the General Medical Council (GMC), the independent regulatory body for doctors in the UK.
Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, has been at the forefront of the campaign to hold Dr McFarlane accountable. In a letter to the GMC, Brindley stated that Dr McFarlane was causing "a great deal of distress" to Ms Wilson, who she said was "constantly worried about what he may post next." Brindley urged the GMC to "urgently investigate" the doctor's ability to practise medicine in light of his "deeply troubling behaviour." She emphasized the unique position of GPs, noting, "It can take a lot of courage for survivors of rape to disclose their experience, and GPs are frequently the first professional a rape survivor may disclose to. Survivors seeing a practising GP harassing and publicly calling into question whether a woman has been raped (despite her perpetrator being convicted and currently in jail for his crimes) could jeopardise their relationships with their own GPs."
Rape Crisis Scotland's concerns extend beyond Ms Wilson's personal trauma. Brindley highlighted the broader implications for patient safety, particularly for those who have experienced sexual violence or domestic abuse. She argued that Dr McFarlane's "abusive" online conduct was "particularly concerning" coming from someone whose profession "relies on their ability to handle patient information sensitively." The charity's repeated complaints to the GMC reflect a growing sense of urgency within the advocacy community about the need for robust regulatory action.
The GMC, for its part, has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. A spokesperson told BBC Scotland, "As soon as we became aware of the concerns, we took immediate action—launching an investigation and referring Dr McFarlane to an interim orders tribunal." The GMC subsequently referred the case to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), which is responsible for ruling on matters of fitness to practise. In August 2025, the MPTS imposed special conditions on Dr McFarlane's medical registration rather than suspending him outright—a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Rape Crisis Scotland and other observers.
Under these interim conditions, Dr McFarlane is required to personally inform the GMC of any changes to his job title or employer's contact details. However, as of October 17, 2025, he remains free to see patients within NHS Highland, although it is unclear whether he is currently employed. He was previously a locum GP at the Alness and Invergordon Medical Group, but the BBC reports he has not worked there for about a year.
The decision not to suspend Dr McFarlane has been met with "grave concerns" from Sandy Brindley, who wrote again to the GMC on September 4, 2025, expressing frustration at what she described as the regulator's lack of seriousness in handling the matter. Brindley reiterated her call for the GP's suspension to be reconsidered, warning that the current approach risks undermining trust in the medical profession and deterring survivors from seeking help.
The case also raises important questions about the intersection of criminal and professional accountability. The GMC has confirmed that when a doctor is arrested, its internal investigations are paused until criminal proceedings are resolved. In the meantime, NHS Highland has stated it is taking "all necessary and appropriate steps" to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, though details about Dr McFarlane's current employment status remain unclear.
For many, the controversy is emblematic of broader challenges facing regulatory bodies tasked with balancing due process for professionals against the urgent need to protect vulnerable patients. The fact that Dr McFarlane, despite being charged with communications offences and subject to ongoing criminal proceedings, remains eligible to see patients has prompted calls for reform and greater transparency in the handling of such cases.
As the investigation continues, the case of Dr Andrew McFarlane stands as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of professional misconduct—especially when it intersects with the trauma of sexual violence. Advocacy groups, regulatory bodies, and the public alike will be watching closely to see how the GMC and the courts ultimately resolve this troubling chapter.
