Described by the New York Times as "one of the most reviled doctors of his generation", Andrew Wakefield, known for his false claims of a causative connection between the MMR vaccine and autism, was struck off following a hearing of the General Medical Council in 2003. Investigative journalist Brian Deer's research found that the alleged MMR-autism link was no amazing scientific discovery, but in fact a pre-planned conclusion from which he had already financially benefited.