HEALTH Secretary John Reid is unlikely to receive the Richard Neale Inquiry report until after the New Year, it was disclosed last night.

Officials running the independent inquiry into the disgraced former North Yorkshire gynaecologist had hoped to hand over the completed report before the end of the year.

But it is now understood that it is very unlikely it will be completed before January.

The inquiry was ordered by former Health Secretary Alan Milbun to investigate how the NHS handled the large number of complaints against Mr Neale when he worked at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, and other UK hospitals between 1985 and 2000.

Mr Neale was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council (GMC) three years ago after he botched a string of operations.

One of the main reasons for the delay is the decision to wait until an important witness could be recalled from abroad.

Inquiry secretary Colin Phillips said: "There was a delay of a month because we needed to hear from a retired North Yorkshire policeman who was not available during the first phase of the inquiry."

The ex-officer, who was involved in police investigations of Mr Neale, subsequently dropped due to lack of evidence, agreed to fly to the UK from his retirement home in Portugal.

"He was able to give us very clear evidence, which was very helpful," said Mr Phillips.

The inquiry, headed by Deputy High Court Judge Suzan Matthews, has listened to a number of independent experts to help assess the mass of written and oral evidence.

"We literally have roomfuls of evidence," said Mr Phillips.

Former patients of Mr Neale have threatened to sue the GMC after it said that an administrative mix-up on their part had allowed him to continue operating in the UK, despite him being struck off in Canada.

The inquiry's recommendations will eventually be published by the Health Secretary.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.