Most of his victims will boycott Neale inquiry, say campaigners
Barry Nelson
12/12/2002

Campaigners are claiming that more than 90 per cent of Richard Neale's victims are boycotting the inquiry.

The claim by the Action Group for the Medical Victims of Richard Neale coincided with an appeal from the inquiry chairman for more witnesses to come forward.

Suzan Matthews QC, chairman of the independent inquiry into the handling of complaints against Mr Neale, made her comments after last week's informal meeting with potential witnesses in York.

"It's a shame that some patients decided not to come to these meetings and that they are talking of a boycott of the inquiry.

"If that is because they do not believe that we will do a thorough job they could not be more wrong," said Mrs Matthews, who also confirmed that a further meeting for patients and other potential witnesses would be held in the Northallerton area in January.

"We must put calls for a public inquiry behind us now," said Mrs Matthews. "That option has been closed by the High Court who rejected that type of hearing. We are determined to get to the heart of the matter and improve the way the complaints system in the NHS works to help all patients in the future."

Controversially, Mrs Matt-hews went on to defend the fact that the inquiry will take place behind closed doors.

"Several of the potential witnesses made the point to us that they were concerned about confidential details of their care and treatment emerging into the public domain and feel more secure in the knowledge that their evidence will not be in public."

But Graham Maloney, advisor to the action group, said: "We have worked out from our records that no more than about 20 out of 257 of our members are interested in taking part." He said a full public inquiry into all the issues raised by the Neale scandal was the only way to protect patients and change the way the NHS is run.

The former Friarage Hospital gynaecologist was struck off in 2000 after 34 out of 35 allegations of serious professional misconduct were found proven.

He was able to work within the NHS despite being struck off in Canada and mounting complaints by patients.

Meanwhile, former Tory leader William Hague, who represents many of Mr Neale's victims in his Richmond constituency, said: "My constituents have a strong sense of deep injustice, and believe rightly, that a more thorough and wide-ranging inquiry should have been announced.

"We will continue to press for the real lessons to be uncovered and learned so that the disastrous employment and re-employment of Neale cannot be repeated.

"It is high time the Department of Health acted on their responsibility to protect patients in the future."

The inquiry office can be contacted on 0207-972 2400.