An optometrist alleged to have made a lewd ‘tight butt’ comment to a female patient during an eye examination will today find out if he is to face sanction from a General Optical Council fitness to practise committee.
Stewart Clough was alleged to have made a series of remarks and gestures during a sight test in December 2015 at Value Vision in Manchester. According to a report in The Sun, it was alleged that Clough told the patient, described in the story as an equestrian, that horse riding ‘gives you a really tight butt,’ and then made a cupping gesture.
The report further alleged that Clough told the woman she had a ‘cracking figure,’ slid his hand down her arm when the two were in close proximity and suggested she was surrounded by men.
In a GOC substansive notice, the committee alleged that upon learning about the complaint to the Council, Clough used confidential patient records to obtain the woman’s address and hand-deliver a letter offering financial reward, reportedly £1,000, to withdraw the complaint.
According to the report in The Sun, Clough told the committee that his comments were ‘naff’ but not sexual'.
The hearing continues.