Mental health

Raj Persaud: TV psychiatrist admits plagiarism

   David Batty
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   [ ] Raj Persaud. Photograph: Andy Butterton/PA

   Britain's best-known psychiatrist today admitted using plagiarised
   material in a book and several articles he wrote for newspapers and
   medical journals.
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   Raj Persaud, famous for his appearances alongside Richard and Judy on
   the This Morning sofa, also admitted to a General Medical Council (GMC)
   disciplinary hearing that his plagiarism was inappropriate and
   misleading.

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   The psychiatrist, who used to present BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind
   programme, admitted plagiarising four articles for his book From The
   Edge Of The Couch published in 2003.

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   He also admitted that four articles he wrote in 2005 contained passages
   plagiarised from an article and book by Professor Thomas Blass, of the
   University of Maryland, and material from the academic's website.

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   University of Maryland, and material from the academic's website.

   He also admitted using material plagiarised from an article by
   Professor Stephen Kant in a piece he wrote for the Independent in the
   same year.
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   "We further allege that Dr Persaud has been dishonest... Dishonesty can
   be inferred from his repeated conduct in plagiarising the work of
   academics... thereby enhancing his professional reputation and standing
   with the public as well as enhancing himself in the press. His book
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   He said Persaud blamed subeditors after an article he wrote for the
   Times Educational Supplement (TES) in February 2005 failed to
   acknowledge the scholar whose work he plagiarised.

   Professor Blass complained about the article and was told, in an email
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   for subbing errors in their apology."

   At the time the allegations of plagiarism first emerged two years ago,
   Persaud was a consultant psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley
   NHS Trust, a position he still holds.
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   "Having seen the passage Professor Bentall was astonished that a
   substantial portion of his paper had simply been copied into the book
   in what he believes was a deliberate act of plagiarism."

   Donne said the British Medical Journal (BMJ) was forced to issue an