'No competent doctor would allow it': Liver Foundation slams Hinch drinking claims
Derryn Hinch's claim he received permission to drink from his transplant surgeon has been savaged by the head of Australian Liver Foundation.
The Victorian Senator admitted he had returned to drinking after he was outted on social media by an ex-girlfriend.
But the broadcaster turned politician insisted the drinks we for special occasions, watered down and only taken with medical permission.
Australian Liver Foundation chairman Mike Ahern said no competent doctor would give such advice to a patient like Hinch, who had received a lifesaving liver transplant after nearly dying from alcoholism.
"It is not a question of a new liver, a new life and now that clears the slate and I can start it all over again – that's not any advice a competent doctor would give anyone,' Mr Ahern said.
"When you are lucky enough to get a liver transplant it is universally accepted and counselled to you that you are lucky, you are fortunate and you should respect the person that has given it to you."
Derryn Hinch today responded to claims from his his ex-girlfriend who he says is trying to "blacken his name" by outing him on social media for drinking again despite swearing to "never again" touch alcoholic beverages.
The 72-year-old's ex Natasha Chadwick, 36, took to social media to accuse him of having "no loyalty" to the family of the donor who saved his life five years ago.
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"Derryn Hinch has been back on booze 12+ months. So much for respecting organ donors gift of life. Fave wine, cheap Gossips. No loyalty," she posted to Twitter on Sunday.
After her tweet Senator Hinch admitted he had been drinking since being given Heath Gardner's liver but insisted the alcohol he drank was watered down and that he had spoken to his surgeon to get clearance for "special occasions" before doing so.
In a lengthy response posted to Twitter Hinch said Ms Chadwick's post was an example of "HHNF" or "hell hath no fury" and simply an attempt to "blacken my name".
"It is true that, even though the Senate dining room and the Hyatt Canberra now stock my Edenvale non-alcoholic wine, I have been known to occasionally drink real wine with the permission of my transplant surgeon," the statement reads. "I also drink Cooper's Ultra Light 'beer'. Check it out. It is alcohol free. I am not stupid."
He said he had interviewed the widow of George Best - a man who returned to drinking after a liver transplant and was "dead within two years".
"I have so much to achieve in the Senate, I wont be making that mistake," Hinch wrote. "I'm sorry that a break-up has led to this, but, that's life."
Ms Chadwick, who was with Hinch for two years, said she had seen him drink a light beer on the night of his maiden speech to senate as well as having shared a wine with him on occasion.
The new senator paid tribute to the man who saved his life and spoke about the need for reform to the organ donation system during his maiden speech.
“I have met the family of my donor, Heath Gardner. His mother, Lynda. His father, Trevor, and sisters Kimberly and Melanie," he said. "I want to dwell on this, because being an organ donor is so important. You can save a life. Even five or six lives. Heath Gardner saved mine.”
Recipients of a liver transplant are advised to abstain permanently from alcohol after surgery.
In 2008 Hinch swore: "I don’t drink now, never will again. If I get a titanium liver, I still won’t drink again."
