The rogue former breast surgeon, Ian Paterson has refused to attend the first of 62 inquests into his patient’s deaths today.

The 66-year-old, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple counts of wounding in 2017, attempted to launch a last-minute bid to have his witness summons revoked on October 10, a day before the inquests were due to begin.

After being accused of attempting to delay proceedings, Coroner Richard Foster ruled on Monday that Mr Paterson would have to give evidence at each inquest, saying he could find “no reason” as to why he would be unable to do so.

Instead of complying, Paterson has refused to attend as he believes the coroner’s investigation is “biased”, the Birmingham and Solihull Coroners Court was told this afternoon.

A prison supervisor told the inquest he had had a 20-minute conversation with Mr Paterson this morning, in which the prisoner said he felt the “coroner isn’t investigating fairly” and that the proceedings are “biased”.

He said: “[Paterson] said he is not being disrespectful, but feels he is not being listened to.”

Jonathan Jones KC, counsel to the inquests, said Mr Foster had a number of powers available to him, including imposing a fine of up to £1,000 on Mr Paterson, a referral for possible prosecution for not appearing or a referral to the Attorney General for contempt of court.

Mr Foster said he would reserve his judgment in the hopes that Paterson would change his mind and attend future inquests.

He said: “I am disappointed that he has not complied with the Schedule 5 notice to attend today.

“It is a disappointment to me, but more importantly to the bereaved families who have questions that need answering.

“I said he should attend if only out of respect for the families of the 62 victims.

“I had given permission to appear remotely at his request and the prison are being exceptionally co-operative to assist me and that is an ongoing obligation in each of the inquests.

“I hope he will review and reconsider his position.

“I’m satisfied I can continue without his attendance.

“The appropriate course of action is to reserve my position in the hope for him to attend future inquests and I will return to this issue in due course.

“I will proceed without his participation.”

The inquest that began today was into the death of Chloe Nikitas, who died at the age of 43 in April 2008.

Mr Paterson performed a “cleavage-sparing mastectomy” on Ms Nikitas, from Tamworth, leaving behind breast tissue, after she was diagnosed with grade two ductal carcinoma in 2002, but her cancer returned in 2005 and was terminal.

The disgraced surgeon was found to have carried out unnecessary and unapproved procedures on over 1,000 cancer patients that an independent inquiry found exaggerated or invented cancer risks in hundreds of cases.

Mr Paterson, originally from Glasgow, was employed by Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and practised privately at Spire Little Aston and Spire Parkway Hospitals in Birmingham between 1997 and 2011.

The death of Ms Nikitas is just one of 62 that will be investigated in inquests that are due to last for at least the next eight months.

The inquest continues.