Dr Andrew McFarlane, a respected general practitioner in the Scottish Highlands, has found himself at the center of a national controversy after being arrested and charged with communications offences related to online posts about his son’s rape victim, Ellie Wilson. The arrest, which took place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, has sent shockwaves through medical and legal communities, and has reignited discussions about victim-blaming, professional accountability, and the ongoing challenges faced by survivors of sexual violence.
According to the BBC, Dr McFarlane, 61, was taken into custody following an investigation into a series of abusive tweets and social media messages he allegedly posted about Wilson, who was raped by his son, Daniel McFarlane, during their time as students at the University of Glasgow. The communications in question, posted on the platform X (formerly Twitter), included claims that Daniel was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Dr McFarlane reportedly called Wilson a "manipulative liar" and accused her of threatening, blackmailing, and abusing his son. These posts were described by The Sunday Times as "offensive, unsubstantiated and defamatory."
Daniel McFarlane, now 26 and from Inverness, was convicted in July 2022 of two counts of rape and attempting to defeat the ends of justice after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The attacks took place between December 2017 and February 2018, when both he and Wilson were students. Wilson, a politics student and champion athlete, waived her right to anonymity and has since become a prominent campaigner for survivors of male sexual violence.
Wilson’s campaign for justice and reform has not been without personal cost. She shared with the BBC the impact of Dr McFarlane’s online remarks, stating, "I honestly just felt terrified when I first saw it and the more that it went on, the more I read, the greater the impact it had on me. I felt like I was being abused all over again. It felt like I was right back there trapped in that abusive relationship." Wilson has also spoken publicly about being labeled an "attention seeker" for her advocacy work, but remains steadfast in her commitment to supporting other survivors and challenging those who seek to blame victims.
In a particularly pivotal moment of the original case, Wilson covertly recorded a conversation with Daniel McFarlane in 2019, using her iPhone hidden in a handbag. The recording, which was later played in court and released on X, captured Daniel admitting to the rapes. In the exchange, Wilson asked, "Do you not get how awful it makes me feel when you say 'I haven't raped you' when you have?" Daniel responded, "Ellie, we have already established that I have. The people that I need to believe me, believe me. I will tell them the truth one day, but not today." When asked about his feelings, he added, "I feel good knowing I am not in prison."
After Daniel’s conviction, he maintained his innocence and sought parole at the halfway point of his five-year sentence. However, as reported by the Daily Record, his application was rejected by the Parole Board on February 14, 2025. Wilson, who was barred from attending the hearing due to objections from Daniel’s legal team, expressed relief on social media: "He is NOT being released. They will review him for parole again in a year. I’m relieved but feel broken. I was put through hell for no reason. The process has to change. But for now… time to relax."
The fallout from the case has extended beyond the courtroom. Dr McFarlane’s social media conduct was reported to the General Medical Council (GMC) in July 2025 and again the following month. In response, the GMC imposed special conditions on his medical registration after an interim orders tribunal, requiring him to personally inform the council of any changes to his job title or employer contact details. Despite these restrictions, Dr McFarlane has continued to see patients. The GMC, following standard procedure, has paused its internal investigation pending the outcome of the criminal case.
When contacted by The Sunday Times prior to his arrest, Dr McFarlane, who describes himself as an evangelical Christian, defended his actions by saying, "As a doctor, I am responsible for the care and proper management of patients I am responsible for. No patient I am responsible for has been harmed by my X account." His assertion, however, has done little to quell public debate about the responsibilities of medical professionals on social media and the potential harm such comments can inflict on victims.
Wilson’s advocacy has also led to broader changes in Scotland’s approach to sexual offence cases. Following a public campaign she launched, the Scottish government introduced a pilot scheme allowing complainants in sexual offences cases to access court transcripts for free. This initiative was designed to promote transparency and empower survivors navigating the legal system.
Wilson’s journey was documented by BBC Three in the documentary "Convicting My Ex," which followed her for nine months as she faced the prospect of her rapist being released halfway through his sentence. The program highlighted not only the emotional toll of the legal process but also the systemic obstacles survivors often encounter.
The legal community has not been immune to scrutiny. Wilson successfully lodged a complaint against her rapist’s lawyer, Lorenzo Alonzi, who was fined £2,000 and severely reprimanded by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. During Daniel’s trial, Alonzi had commented on Wilson’s sexual history and suggested she suffered from a personality disorder, despite admitting he had no medical evidence for such a diagnosis. The Faculty of Advocates later ruled that his remarks were "inappropriate and ought not to have been made at all." Wilson described feeling "dehumanised and humiliated" by the advocate’s actions, stating the distress caused had left her unable to work.
With Dr McFarlane now awaiting a court appearance, the case continues to raise pressing questions about the intersection of free speech, professional conduct, and the rights of victims. For many, the story is a stark reminder of the challenges survivors face—not only in seeking justice, but also in navigating the public aftermath and the reactions of those connected to their abusers.
As the legal process unfolds, both the medical and legal professions will be watching closely, aware that the ramifications of this case could reach far beyond the individuals involved. For Ellie Wilson and other survivors, the hope is that greater awareness and accountability will lead to a system that listens, supports, and protects those most in need.
