Rogue ex-NHS Tayside doctor Professor Sam Eljamel bought a “Man of the Year” award to boost an old copy of his CV.
The former Dundee surgeon was given the “honour” by the American Biographical Institute, a defunct company which earned revenue by handing out paid-for awards.
It comes after we revealed Prof Eljamel – who botched dozens of operations while working in Tayside – lied on his own website about completing a specialist US degree.
The disgraced medic, born in Libya, was ordered to pay one patient £2.8 million in compensation and he removed the wrong part of another woman’s body during surgery.
Campaigners put renewed pressure on the Scottish Government to launch a public inquiry as Tory MSP Liz Smith demanded action from health secretary Humza Yousaf.
Pat Kelly, a victim of the rogue doctor, said the fake award obtained by Prof Eljamel was another reason why a full Holyrood inquiry into him was needed.
Mr Yousaf has denied a public probe is necessary and NHS Tayside insist they carried out all necessary checks before hiring in 1995.
But Mr Kelly said: “Nothing surprises me with this man and once again it shows the murkier side of Mr Eljamel that he felt the need to pay for such a title.
“It also shows why we need further investigation into him and his background with a public inquiry.”
Where did this fake honour come from?
An old copy of Prof Eljamel’s CV lists him as a “fellow” with the American Biographical Institute.
His “Man of the Year” award is included in bold writing despite being meaningless.
The American Biographical Institute claimed to be a directory for professional references to be published, but it made money by dishing out vanity honours.
In 2004, the Australian Government was reportedly asked to investigate the business by an MP who had been told he could be “Man of the Year” for 195 dollars.
Western Australia’s regional government listed the organisation as a scam after one of their senior employees was offered a “World Medal of Freedom” for 395 dollars.
They claimed there was no way to find a list of award winners on the institute’s site while it was still active.
In one bizarre case, it appears a “Man of the Year” gong was given to Yahya Jammeh, who was the authoritarian leader of Western African nation Gambia from 1994 to 2017.
Inquiry demands
Victims of Prof Eljamel rallied outside Holyrood in November as they pressed their demands for an inquiry.
Mr Yousaf wrote to Tory MSP Liz Smith on Monday as he again rejected calls for the rogue doctor to be investigated.
He told her he was “not convinced” a public probe would “provide additional information or bring closure” for campaigners such as Mr Kelly.
But Ms Smith said: “Over several years, my constituents have tried every available channel to get at the truth, just as have I – but each time we are thwarted in our efforts.
“The fact remains that no one has ever been held accountable for what happened to Professor Eljamel’s former patients and that is just not acceptable.”
Mr Kelly added: “For Mr Yousaf to say that NHS Tayside has been providing support is simply laughable. I challenge him to show me what support I have been given.”
