Joint Open Letter to DBS and FA in Support of Dr David Cartland

02/03/26

UKMFA, DFPUK, HART and CCVAC have sent an Open Letter of Support for Dr David Cartland to Dr Jeff James, CEO of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and Dr Gillian Fairfield, DBS Chair. The letter, signed by nearly 80 doctors, academics and health professionals, expresses shock at Dr Cartland being placed on the Vulnerable Adults’ and Children’s Barred Lists following his GMC tribunal and subsequent erasure from the medical register.

Dr David Cartland's inclusion on the Barred Lists has led to suspension by the Football Association (FA), preventing him from playing, refereeing, or even attending football matches. Sue Ravenlaw, Head of Safeguarding at the FA, has also been copied into the correspondence.

The letter states that Dr Cartland acted responsibly and in accordance with his ethical duties as a doctor in raising concerns about Covid vaccine safety, and argues that upholding informed consent does not constitute a safeguarding issue. The signatories urge the DBS to remove Dr Cartland from the Barred Lists as a matter of urgency.