AN investigation has found that struck-off surgeon Richard Neale should never have been given another hospital job.

Victims of the former North Yorkshire gynaecologist were appalled when it emerged that Mr Neale was employed by the South Manchester University Hospital Trust from August last year until April.

He was taken on as a clerk in a department which monitors the clinical standards of doctors at the trust, despite being struck off for botching a string of operations at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, in July 2000.

Now, in response to protests from Richmond MP William Hague, Department of Health officials have released details of the two separate investigations at the Manchester trust.

According to the letter, Professor Robert Tinston, former North West NHS regional director, looked into the circumstances of Mr Neale's employment and concluded that the former surgeon should not have been appointed.

The letter stated that Prof Tinston found that there were some errors of judgement which allowed the appointment to proceed. There had alsobeen a failure to make further inquiries when Mr Neale's reputation was brought to the attention of the trust.

In addition to Prof Tinston's report, the trust is also carrying out its own investigation.

The terms of reference for the panel are to investigate the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Mr Neale, identify any lessons that can be learned and recommend to the trust board any actions that need to be taken.

While he welcomed the developments, Mr Hague said: "I hope it is clear that Richard Neale should not be employed in any capacity in the Health Service after what he did to my constituents."

The Richmond MP said he ws looking forward to the results of the trust investigation.

Graham Maloney, advisor to the 250-strong Neale victims support group, said: "The NHS is a public institution paid for by the public and both these reports should be published in full."

The group is writing to about 200 MPs asking them to support moves to widen the terms of reference of the internal NHS investigation into the Neale scandal.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.