Dr. Richard Freeman was absent when the medical court hearing began again in Manchester on Thursday. According to attorney Mary O'Rourke, her client was "reacting adversely to what happened here on Tuesday," and O'Rourke had a tense exchange with Shane Sutton, who abandoned the hearing after calling Freeman "a thorn in his side."

Freeman apparently has an emergency appointment with a psychiatrist on Friday and is "in no condition to be here today or tomorrow."

Sutton was also absent, choosing not to return for further voluntary questioning. However, the General Medical Council (GMC), which is considering disciplining Freeman for a total of 22 charges, including ordering 30 bags of test-gel testosterone "knowing or believing that it is administered to athletes to improve athletic performance," Team Ineos consultant psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters, was called as the second witness.

During the initial discussion, Mr. O'Rourke stated that he was very disappointed that Mr. Sutton did not return for further questioning, and there was discussion as to whether Mr. Sutton's comments should be removed from the record or left intact.

Freeman's lawyers argued that the test gels were for Sutton, who allegedly bullied Freeman into personally ordering drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. Sutton denied the symptoms and fired back when O'Rourke accused him of being a "habitual and serial liar" and a "dope player with a history of doping."

According to The Guardian, Sutton responded, "I don't need to be dragged into this shitty fight that this individual is trying to bring on me. I came in here and was asked to answer whether I had ordered the test gel. I did not."

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Before leaving, he also lashed out at Freeman, who was considered a weak witness and was sitting behind the screen.

"I didn't lie. He's hiding behind the screen. Richard, you're a wimp."

Peters is expected to reveal more details about the test gel order and Freeman's work as a doctor.

Like Sutton and Freeman, Peters worked for both Team Sky and British Cycling for almost a decade, including the period when Testogel was sent to the Manchester velodrome in 2011. Peters is a renowned psychiatrist and former medical director of British Cycling, a role he also held with Team Sky. He still works as a consultant for Team Ineos.

Freeman reportedly told Peters that the test gel order was a mistake and insisted that he would send an email to that effect. The email eventually arrived five months later, and Freeman has since admitted

that the test gels were not sent in error.

However, Peter's question was quickly called into question by O'Rourke, who asked about Freeman's health. It was also revealed that Peters had recently spoken with GMC's attorney, but O'Rourke claimed that the official submission note contained details that he had not told her in a similar phone conversation.

O'Rourke suggested that the line of questioning of Peters meant that the court was "out of the way," but after argument, Peters was questioned.

The hearing continued.