25 March 2012 Last updated at 07:22 ET

'Baking soda' cancer treatment doctor not at Totnes meeting

Dr Hopwood said the event was held at a private venue in Totnes

An ex doctor who claims cancer can be treated using baking soda did not attend a meeting in Devon about alternative treatments for the disease.

Italian oncologist Tullio Simoncini, who has been struck off, was expected to attend a conference in Totnes about alternative cancer treatments.

Concerns had been raised by a local MP and a trading standards investigation had begun.

Organisers said they had asked him not to attend because of the concerns.

Mr Simoncini says he was struck off for using sodium bicarbonate in place of chemotherapy.

The conference, organised by the Arcturus Clinic, was scheduled to take place at the Civic Hall in Totnes, but the town council withdrew permission.

The meeting was instead held at a private venue in the town on Saturday.

Arcturus is run by Dr Stephen Hopwood, a former GP who now describes himself as a "holistic physician".

He said: "We asked him [Tullio Simoncini] not to attend because of what has happened."

Earlier, trading standards said it was investigating the Totnes-based clinic and the conference after concerns raised by local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston.