A 37-year-old man arrested in Enniskillen on suspicion of a number of offences relating to an investigation into alleged modern slavery is understood to be a senior doctor, it has emerged.
Police carried out a search of the home he shares with a woman (34) in June, after which both were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, holding a person in slavery or domestic servitude and theft.
When contacted, a PSNI spokesperson confirmed the couple:
“Were taken into custody for interview and have since been released on bail, pending further enquiries.”
While there were no further details at that point, information began to surface on the circumstances of the arrests, and while identities of the pair are known, they are not being published at this time.
In the course of enquiries, the relevant Health and Social Care Trust, which is also not being identified at this stage, was asked to set out staff requirements around alerting the Human Resources Department or equivalent if arrested, charged, interviewed or bailed in respect of a criminal investigation.
A spokesperson replied: “Employees have a contractual obligation to immediately notify their Head of Department or Deputy if they are convicted of a criminal offence, including road traffic offences, or if they have been cautioned or have any prosecutions pending. Failure to do so will constitute a disciplinary offence.”
Asked to clarify when it was informed by or on behalf of the relevant member of medical staff as to their recent arrest and release on bail, a Trust spokesperson said:
“Due to confidentiality reasons we do not provide comment on individual staff.”
The General Medical Council (GMC) was asked if they had been notified of the issue, to which a spokesperson replied:
“We are aware of these concerns and are working via our outreach team to understand them. Where necessary we take action to restrict a doctor’s practice if there is evidence of an immediate risk to patient safety.”
At the time of publishing, the individual in question remains on the GMC register, fully licensed to practice without restriction.
When asked if any potential victim had been removed from the premises, the PSNI advised:
“This is an ongoing proactive investigation by detectives from our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit and, therefore, it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on this incident further at this time.”
A statement continued by way of background as to the work of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit, upon receipt of information about a potential victim, the PSNI will respond appropriately, taking any or all of the following actions:
* Remove victim to safe place
* Task an interpreter if required
* Record an initial account and gain consent for referral.
* Refer victim details to the National Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit for support through the National Referral Mechanism
* Commence a criminal investigation where appropriate.