The adopted child died in 2000

The General Medical Council is set to decide if a Northern Ireland pathologist was at fault over a baby's post-mortem examination.

Dr Michael Curtis, an assistant state pathologist for Northern Ireland, is to face the GMC's Professional Conduct Committee at a hearing on Monday.

It follows a report into the death of a Romanian baby boy who was legally adopted by a County Armagh man.

The boy, who suffered multiple fractures, was buried without the injuries ever being explained.

Dr Curtis is expected to attend a hearing in Manchester accused of serious professional misconduct.

On Monday, lawyers for Dr Curtis applied to have the case heard in private, arguing that the hearing could prejudice any criminal proceedings brought in relation to the baby's death.

The committee will inquire into allegations that Dr Curtis "failed to exercise reasonable care and competence in the conduct of a post-mortem examination" and "following two post-mortem examinations produced reports which were inadequate".

It is alleged that Dr Curtis' actions were "unprofessional, inappropriate, and liable to bring the medical profession into disrepute".

It is understood the couple who adopted the boy and his twin brother have been questioned by police in connection with the death.

Romanian law

Former overseas missionary Geoffrey Briggs from Portadown, the boy's adoptive father, was later jailed for fracturing the skull of the child's twin brother.

Geoffrey Briggs no longer lives in Northern Ireland

The 45-page Department of Heath report published in September last year, was highly critical of the Craigavon and Banbridge Community Trust, which oversaw the adoption.

One of the key findings said there was a failure to visit and support the children along with poor record-keeping.

Briggs adopted the nine-month-old twin boys under Romanian law in July 2000.

Less than four months later, one was dead and the other had a fractured skull.

The first child was pronounced dead at Craigavon Area Hospital in October 2000.

It is understood a post-mortem examination was carried out at the hospital at the time, but no death certificate was issued, and the body was buried.

Just 13 days after that, the boy's twin was admitted to the same hospital with a fractured skull.

Briggs admitted having punched the child and was later convicted of grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to two years in prison.

The body of the boy's dead twin was then exhumed and a further post-mortem examination was ordered.

Explanation

That showed he had suffered extensive fractures to his ribs and body, none of which have ever been explained.

Up to 16 fractures were discovered on his torso but there was no suggestion, however, that he died from those injuries.

Briggs was jailed for inflicting grievous bodily harm on the surviving child, who is no longer in his care.

There has never been any explanation for the injuries suffered by the dead child.

A statement from the police after publication of the report said a further investigation was started earlier this year into the death of a 14-month-old child in Portadown in October 2000.

The statement said that as a result of further medical evidence, two people were recently interviewed about the death and have been released pending a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Briggs, who has since been released from prison, no longer lives in Northern Ireland.