Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Birmingham man charged with 'criminal actions' during circumcision procedures

By S Neeraj Krishna

A 54-year-old man in Birmingham has been charged with assaulting children while performing circumcisions.


Mohammad Siddiqui of Hockley faced 34 charges, including ill-treatment, neglect, causing unnecessary suffering or injury, and actual bodily harm.

The former NHS doctor was also accused of administering “a prescription only medicine, when not an appropriate practitioner”, a Hampshire police spokesperson said.

Siddiqui had been arrested as part of a “large investigation” based on alleged offences related to conducting circumcisions at private residences between 2015 and 2018.

The alleged “criminal actions” reportedly involved boys in Birmingham, Walsall, Coventry, West Bromwich, Worcester, Reading, Banbury, Oxford, Southampton, Portsmouth, London, East Grinstead, Christchurch, and Swindon.

“This investigation is related to an individual’s possible criminal actions whilst undertaking circumcision procedures, and is not concerned with the practice of circumcision itself,” said an officer.

In 2018, the Hampshire Constabulary had launched a probe -- “Operation Jetson” -- into allegations against Siddiqui.

According to the force, Siddiqui had been arrested in July 2018 on “suspicion of grievous bodily harm”.

The Muslim Council of Southampton also backed the police “to bring to the attention of and to raise awareness among the Muslim and other communities who practice male circumcision” about his activities.

Siddiqui had worked as a clinical fellow (paediatric surgery) at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust between June 2012 and November 2013.

He reportedly operated a mobile children’s circumcision service outside the NHS at that time and carried out circumcisions at private residences.

“He faced 47 allegations when he operated on male children outside work hours between June 2012 and November 2013,” joint statement from the police and MCS had noted.

“He was suspended from his post, stopped carrying out the procedures and resigned from the NHS and surrendered his GMC registration.

“He then continued to provide a poor and dangerous practice without registering with the Care Quality Commission and without any indemnity insurance for his private work.”

In 2015, the Daily Echo reported that Siddiqui had been “struck off for carrying out circumcisions under unhygienic conditions which had left children ‘writhing in agony’”.

Subsequent investigations led to his arrest and legal proceedings. Siddiqui, who was released on bail, will appear at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 6.

More For You

Shabana Mahmood

Newly appointed home secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives at Number 10 at Downing Street as Keir Starmer holds a cabinet reshuffle on September 5, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Shabana Mahmood named home secretary, Lammy deputy to Starmer in major reshuffle

Highlights:

  • David Lammy becomes deputy prime minister while keeping foreign affairs brief
  • Angela Rayner resigned after admitting underpaid property tax
  • Lisa Nandy to stay on as culture secretary
  • Reshuffle marks first major shake-up of Starmer’s government

SHABANA MAHMOOD has been appointed home secretary in a major reshuffle of prime minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet following the resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

Keep ReadingShow less
Epping protests

The protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping triggered a series of demonstrations across the country during heightened tensions over immigration. (Photo: Getty Images)

Asylum seeker convicted of sex assaults case that led to protests

AN ETHIOPIAN asylum seeker, whose arrest in July led to protests outside a hotel near London where he and other migrants were housed, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and another woman.

The protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, about 20 miles (30 km) from London, triggered a series of demonstrations across the country during heightened tensions over immigration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Angela-Rayner-Getty

Rayner, 45, announced she would step down as deputy prime minister, housing minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. (Photo: Getty Image)

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner resigns after admitting tax mistake

Highlights

  • Rayner steps down after admitting underpaying property tax
  • Resigns as deputy prime minister, housing minister and Labour deputy leader
  • Becomes eighth minister to leave Starmer’s government, and the most senior so far
  • Her departure comes as Labour trails Reform UK in opinion polls

DEPUTY prime minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after admitting she had underpaid property tax on a new home. Her resignation is a fresh setback for prime minister Keir Starmer, who had initially stood by her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Migrants boat
Migrants swim to board a smugglers' boat in order to attempt crossing the English channel off the beach of Audresselles, northern France. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK pauses refugee family reunion route amid migration reforms

Highlights:

  • Refugee family reunion scheme suspended as part of migration reforms
  • Nearly 21,000 visas issued in the past year, mainly to women and children
  • New rules to include contribution requirements and longer waiting periods
  • Government expects first migrant returns to France later this month

THE GOVERNMENT has announced it is suspending a scheme that allowed families of refugees in the UK to apply to join their relatives, as part of efforts to cut irregular migration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Angela-Rayner-Reuters

Angela Rayner arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street on September 2, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Rayner's future uncertain as report on stamp duty case expected soon

DEPUTY prime minister Angela Rayner is awaiting the outcome of an investigation into her underpayment of stamp duty on a property in East Sussex, with the findings expected soon.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said he anticipated the report, led by ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, would be delivered “pretty quickly.” He added: “Then, of course, I will act on whatever the report is that's put in front of me.”

Keep ReadingShow less