Ex-Tory leader to press for public inquiry
25/01/2002

Former Tory leader William Hague is to argue in Parliament for a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal.

The Richmond MP will use an adjournment debate in the House of Commons to call for a public inquiry into how the NHS handled the case of the disgraced surgeon.

Campaigners pressing for a public inquiry are delighted that the high-profile MP has decided to use precious Parliamentary time to highlight their cause.

Next Thursday's debate will take place five days before a legal team representing the victims begins an application in the High Court for a judicial review.

Currently, the Department of Health is only prepared to mount an internal inquiry.

If successful, the judicial review will force the Government to open up the inquiry to the Press and public.

"It is a real boost to our campaign," said Graham Maloney, advisor to the victims of Richard Neale support group.

"At least 50 of the women who suffered at the hands of Richard Neale are from his constituency, It is great that he is supporting them," said Mr Maloney.

A spokesman for Mr Hague said: "William Hague will be pressing the Government on why the victims of Richard Neale will not be able to hear the proceedings of this inquiry. They should be held in public.

"He will also be asking about the implications for the NHS as to why someone who has been struck off the medical register in Canada can then practice in Britain."

Competition for adjournment debates is so intense that MPs are chosen by means of a lottery system. Mr Neale, a former consultant gynaecologist at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was struck off the medical register in the summer of 2000. He was found guilty of 34 out of 35 allegations of malpractice, including botched operations.

Campaigners argue a public inquiry is needed to establish why the authorities failed to act until he had injured 70 women.