THE Government will fight a legal bid to force a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal, it was revealed last night.

Campaigners representing hundreds of former patients of the disgraced former Northallerton surgeon want the Government to hold a full public inquiry into the Neale affair.

The group wants to know why the disgraced gynaecologist was able to continue operating for years despite mounting complaints and evidence of previous malpractice in Canada.

Last week, the campaigners' hopes of a criminal prosecution against the former Friarage Hospital surgeon were dashed when North Yorkshire police said they were calling off their two-year investigation.

But the group has not ruled out pursuing a private prosecution against Neale, who was struck off in July last year after botching a string of operations and lying to patients.

After criticising the Government's offer of a private investigation as inadequate, the campaign group has lodged an application with the High Court in London for a judicial review.

The group hopes to convince a judge that it is in the best interests of the NHS that the investigation should be held in public.

If they get the go-ahead, the case for a public inquiry will be put by campaign founder and Neale victim Sheila Wright-Hoagland, from Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire.

Last night, campaign spokesman Graham Maloney confirmed that the Department of Health will contest the application for a judicial review.

"We were originally told that they would not oppose our application but it does not really surprise me," said Mr Maloney.

Despite the opposition from Government the group were determined to press ahead with the application, he added