Nurse Struck Off After 'This is Not a Muslim Country' Facebook Post

A seasoned nurse with three decades of experience, Simon Watts, has been struck off the register by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after a disciplinary hearing found his social media posts, made in the emotional aftermath of the Southport attacks, to be "derogatory" and "racist." The case has ignited a fierce public debate over the boundaries of free expression and the professional obligations of healthcare workers, even in their private lives.

Mr. Watts, who worked as a nurse for the Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary, posted a series of comments on his personal Facebook page on August 2, 2024, just days after Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls in Southport. In his posts, he wrote that "this country is finished due to the lack of immigration control" and called for the government to "Deport Deport Depot [sic] before more bloodshed occurs." He also stated, "This is not a Muslim country and there should be no place for them."

The nurse's legal team presented a robust defense, arguing that his comments were protected under the principles of freedom of expression. They highlighted that the posts were made on a private account and were deleted within hours, before any complaint had been lodged. Watts, who fully cooperated with the investigation, described his words as a "serious blip" and "out of character," telling the NMC panel that he found them "wrong" and "bigoted." He has since completed online training to address issues of discrimination and racism. His lawyers emphasized that there were "no deep-seated attitudinal concerns" in this case and that Watts was a "competent nurse" with a 30-year unblemished record. They argued that it was not in the public interest to deprive the healthcare system of a skilled and experienced professional.

However, the NMC Fitness to Practise Committee was unswayed. The panel, in its final ruling, concluded that Watts's behavior was "completely unacceptable and extremely serious." It noted that his colleagues considered his actions "deplorable." The panel determined that the "nature and tone of language" used by Watts demonstrated "deep seated views and hostility regarding race and religion." They further stated that his comments "could incite hostility towards minority groups" and represented a "potential risk of harm to the public."

While the NMC panel acknowledged that no physical or emotional harm was caused to patients, it underscored a critical point: "discriminatory behaviour outside of clinical practice has the potential to impact the public's trust and confidence in the nursing profession." This ruling reinforces the view that the code of conduct for healthcare professionals extends beyond the workplace. The NMC's decision, though legally sound, has been met with mixed reactions. Many argue that a private social media post, however ill-conceived, should not cost a person their livelihood, especially after a long and dedicated career. This case serves as a stark warning to all professionals about the far-reaching consequences of their online activity, blurring the lines between private opinion and public-facing accountability.