Galway Senator Ronan Mullen claims the head of the HSE inquiry into the death of Savita Halappanavar is not suitable, because he supports abortion.

Professor Arulkumaran, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St Georges Hospital, University of London, has been appointed to lead the inquiry into Savita’s death last month at Galway University Hospital.

In a 2009 paper, the professor encouraged countries with restrictive abortion laws to look at the evidence in favour of liberal abortion laws.

Senator Ronan Mullen says that, despite his professional competence, Professor Arulkumeran is not an impartial chair because he has advocated abortion.

He says like the three Galway-based members of the inquiry, the Professor should also be removed.