The General Medical Council (GMC) has appealed a tribunal decision that cleared a doctor of sexually harassing four female medical students.

Last month, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel found physical contact by Dr Adam Chesters was not meant in a sexual way, but he had committed misconduct.

He was handed a warning over the incidents, which took place during education sessions in Cambridge and Edinburgh.

The GMC said it had decided to challenge that outcome "after detailed consideration".

The tribunal found Chesters abused his senior position during teaching and examination sessions between 2022 and 2024.

The tribunal also found he made inappropriate comments to a third woman and repeatedly moved a fourth by the waist and shoulders during training events.

While one allegation of more serious touching was not proven, the tribunal concluded his conduct fell below expected professional standards.

Allegations of sexual harassment and sexual motivation were also found to be not proven.

The GMC said it was "deeply troubled" by Chesters' behaviour and decided to appeal the tribunal's decision not to find his fitness to practise impaired.

A panel convened to discuss the case said it was concerned the tribunal placed too much weight on Chesters' good character when assessing his evidence.

This, it said, led to inconsistencies in how it weighed his account against those of the women.

It also questioned the way the tribunal approached alleged rumours concerning Chesters' previous behaviour, arguing this had been used to undermine the credibility of witnesses.

The GMC concluded that the warning issued by the tribunal was insufficient to protect the public.

Chesters had been a consultant in emergency medicine and pre-hospital emergency medicine at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust until June.

He also worked with Prince William when he worked as a helicopter pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance between July 2015 and July 2017.

A spokesman for the GMC said: 'Exercising our right of appeal is something we do with great care and only after detailed consideration".

They added: "Our focus is protecting the public, and we are satisfied given the nature of the allegations that it is right that we appeal."

Chesters has been approached for comment via his legal representatives.

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