Outcry as union leader of the British Medical Association is voted out after a vote of no confidence – while she is on maternity leave

The British Medical Association was last night accused of ‘inhumane’ behaviour after passing a vote of no confidence in one of its most senior officials while she is on maternity leave.

Dr Farah Jameel, a family doctor in London, was elected as the first female chair of the BMA’s GP committee in November 2021 and has been on leave since December.

But members yesterday voted to kick her out of the role, saying they need ‘certainty’ as the union prepares to negotiate a new NHS GP contract in the coming months. A petition calling for the vote to be withdrawn attracted hundreds of signatures, with doctors insisting she had been ‘unfairly treated’.

One signatory described the move as ‘inhumane and thoughtless’, while another wrote: ‘It is disgraceful to treat Dr Jameel like this while she is on maternity leave.’ It comes after a scathing report into sexism, published in 2019, found the BMA had an ‘old boys’ club’ culture and treated women ‘as of less importance and ability’.

The BMA commissioned Daphne Romney QC to lead the investigation after two GP committee members raised concerns about the treatment of women within the organisation. Women on the committee were asked ‘what their husband thinks of them being away for so long’, and two members were overheard loudly ‘guesstimating’ a colleague’s bra size.

Dr Farah Jameel, who was elected as the first female chair of the BMA’s GP committee in 2021, has had a motion of ‘no confidence’ passed against while she is away on maternity leave

The report prompted the BMA to claim it would use the findings as a ‘springboard for change’. But campaigners warn the latest vote risks putting women off from seeking leadership positions.

Joeli Brearley, founder of the campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, said: ‘If women are to be truly equal in every sector then we have to accept that they are biologically different from men and not penalise them for it.

‘Maternity discrimination comes in many forms – it is clear Dr Jameel has been another victim of the bias many hold towards pregnant women and mothers.

‘Imagine what other female GPs think watching how Dr Jameel has been treated, simply because she dared to give birth and take maternity leave. It sends out a strong message that women are not welcome in the top seat, unless they behave like men.

‘What a tragedy that is for the medical sector and the talented, brilliant women it employs.’

Dr Jameel took sick leave three months after being elected committee chair, in part due to sexist comments she faced within the committee, GP magazine Pulse reported. When she returned, she was suspended in November 2022 following a complaint made prior to her sick leave, it added.

While the complaints process was under way, she went on maternity leave in December. The motion said the committee was ‘sympathetic towards the chair and the difficult circumstances surrounding her absence’ but ‘regrets in has no alternative’ but to declare it has no confidence in her and demands an election is held for a replacement ‘as soon as possible’.

It blamed the ‘lack of clarity surrounding the status of the alleged suspension of [Dr Jameel] ahead of significant impending contractual and political upheaval’.

However, the reason Dr Jameel is not currently fulfilling her duties is due to her maternity leave, rather than the suspension. Dr Rachel Ali, who proposed the motion of no confidence, said: ‘Today’s motion wasn’t brought on by the actions of any individual.

‘The reason for bringing today’s motion was to give the committee a chance to offer a clear democratic mandate to the leadership of the profession and end the uncertainty of the last few months. As the GP Committee equalities chair I want to assure members that we have considered this motion very carefully, and given the standing orders of the committee, we feel it is the only fair way forward.’

The BMA said Dr Jameel will remain a member of the GP England committee. A spokesman said the group ‘fiercely condemns any form of sexism or racism’. Dr Jameel declined to comment.