In dismissing the case, Judge Goetze delivered a stinging assessment of Dr Teo’s judgment, saying he “is clearly passionate about the resection of brain tumours as providing the best chance of a cure”.

But he allowed “his passion and his subjective involvement … to interfere with his objectivity and impartiality as an expert witness”. He also said this passion caused him “to exaggerate Daniel’s neurological condition” to justify his actions.

Despite the judge’s criticism of Dr Teo, Daniel Jordan’s parents refused to hear a bad word about him. In May his father Ray wrote in The West Australian: “It angers and upsets me when I see this great Australian having to defend himself against a medical fraternity who seem more concerned with egos and protecting their patch than actually doing what they should – acting in the best interests of their patients and saving lives.”

Mr Jordan wrote that the Perth doctors had repeatedly said the tumour was inoperable and could not be successfully removed. Not only had they “never told us about Charlie”, Mr Jordan wrote, but they described him as a “cowboy” and advised him that you “hear the good stories and not the bad ones”.

“Some question why he operates when in some cases the chances are so slim. But he doesn’t promise the impossible – it’s simply that he might be able to give them more time. Precious time to see a child graduate or get married.

“Charlie gave us 12 precious years with Daniel. Our son was 27 when he suffered a massive brain bleed and died.”

via Charlie Teo: Australia’s brilliant surgeon unmasked