A MEDICAL student who was found dead after apparently falling from a university building was subjected to racist bullying by a lecturer, his family has told an inquest.

Amir Mahmood, 25, of Victoria Drive, Haslingden, suffered multiple injuries after he was believed to have fallen from the 10th floor of the Leeds School of Medicine building.

An inquest in Leeds was told that Amir was discovered on the pavement outside the building on June 6, last year and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His father, Dr Khalid Mahmood, alleged the former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil had been the victim of racism and bullying prior to his death.

But Leeds University refuted the claims saying that Amir had been offered hope and support after struggling on the course.

The inquest was also told Amir, who was resitting his fifth year, had learned on the day before his death that he was being perman-ently withdrawn from the course after failing two practical placements.

Dr Mahmood, who has a GP practice in Rawtenstall, said Amir had told his mother that his head of year, Dr Richard Fuller, had been bullying and harassing him.

The coroner, David Hinchliff, read out a statement from Dr Mahmood stating: "In 2007 Amir told his close friend that Dr Fuller had said to him, People do not want a doctor like you. Just because your parents are Asian doctors it does not mean you will be. Look at another career.'"

Agreeing with his previous statement, Dr Mahmood said he believed his son, who had wanted to be a doctor since he was 11, had been bullied and demoralised and this drove him to take his life.

The actions of the doctor and the school as a whole was a very large contributory factor to his mental state in the hours before his death he added.

Mr Hinchcliff said: "You believe as a family that Dr Fuller's professional misconduct and harassment led to the destruction of your son's hopes and dreams."

The head of the school of medicine, Prof Trudie Roberts, said: "What we are trying to provide is a network of people that these students can access.

"But it is very hard to insist that students see their personal tutors.

"Several members of senior staff met Amir on a number of occasions to offer him advice and guidance."

The decision to not allow him to continue on the course was because of his poor attributes and unsatisfactory performance', she added.

Dr Patrick Harkin, the only member of staff available to speak to Amir on the day before his death, told him he would not be able to continue the course as he had failed two practical placements.

Diane Hallatt, for the University of Leeds, said Amir, who got £1,200 monthly allowance from his father, had money worries and had applied for an NHS bursary. The university also had concerns over his lack of attendance, she added.

Dr Mahmood admitted he had not known about the bursary or any financial difficulties his son might have been facing.

Mr Hinchliff told the inquest about a letter from Amir to the university stating he was close to bankruptcy.

Dr Mahmood said: "It's still my belief that he was the victim of racism of which there is a lot at Leeds University."

(Proceeding)