IVF expert feared BBC suit would bankrupt him

London's top fertility doctor today revealed how he feared bankruptcy over his legal action against the BBC.

Mohamed Taranissi, who has helped create 2,300 IVF babies, said the libel case involving Panorama cost him "millions" and affected his young son.

The programme, IVF Uncovered, in January 2007, sent an undercover reporter to pose as a potential patient.

The doctor accused the programme of making defamatory allegations.

Lawyers acting for the BBC agreed to cover Mr Taranissi's legal fees. But in an interview with the Standard, he claimed only a small proportion of his costs were actually reimbursed. He said: "We are talking millions. We got a percentage ... It could have bankrupted me.

"There were times when I was upset. I had a call from the head teacher at my son's school. Some people at the school were acting strange towards him. It scares me that the system can allow
things like this to happen."