A DOCTOR who took part in a widely discredited study linking the MMR vaccine with autism has continued to protest his innocence, despite being found guilty of "irresponsible" behaviour by health bosses.

Professor John Walker-Smith, 73, of Monkhams Drive in Woodford Green, was criticised by the General Medical Council (GMC) last week for breaking ethical guidelines during an investigation with two colleagues.

The tribunal heard how Prof Walker-Smith carried out painful and unnecessary procedures on youngsters as part of the trial testing whether the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) was connected with rising numbers being diagnosed with autism.

The GMC said he was guilty of “irresponsible conduct” and had not acted in the “best clinical interests” of a child in several instances.

However speaking to the Guardian today, Prof Walker-Smith said: "I have dedicated my career to the care of children and my first concern has always been to do the best for them.

"I have always and will continue to contest any allegation of wrongdoing.

"I obviously am disappointed by some of the findings of the GMC but I am pleased to note that the panel has not found that I was dishonest."

The GMC will meet again on Wednesday April 7 to decide whether Prof Walker-Smith's conduct amounts to “serious professional misconduct” and, if so, what punishment he will receive.

He added: "The prolonged investigation and hearing has been difficult for everyone involved in this case and I hope that the conclusion is now in sight.”

Prof Walker-Smith, along with colleagues Prof Simon Murch of Tooting and Dr Andrew Wakefield, who now lives in the USA, who were also rapped by the GMC, published their study in medical journal The Lancet in 1998.

The report led to a drop in the number of parents putting their children forward for the MMR vaccine nationwide, and a sharp rise in measles cases.

In Redbridge the numbers receiving the MMR jab dropped from 90 per cent in 1998 to a low of 72 per cent in 2005.

However multiple subsequent studies found no evidence of any link between the vaccine and autism.