THE doctor at the centre of the 1986 Cleveland child abuse inquiry has been criticised for her diagnosis of sex assault on a baby in Scotland.

But health officials have defended their appointment of paediatrician Marietta Higgs, saying there is no restriction on the work she can do.

Dr Higgs has worked as a consultant for Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals Trust for more than three years.

Last week, she gave evidence at a Hamilton court, at the trial of Robert Leitch, 24, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, who denied sexually assaulting a nine-month-old girl.

He walked free after sheriff John Stewart said the prosecution did not have enough evidence to continue.

Dr Higgs was one of two doctors, whose controversial diagnostic techniques led to a major inquiry in Cleveland, when 121 suspected sex abuse victims were taken into care.

All but 27 children were returned to their families and the Northern Region Health Authority banned her from investigating child abuse allegations in the area it covers.

In the latest case, Dr Higgs was a locum consultant at the Scottish hospital where the baby was taken. After looking, with other doctors, at the child, the mother was told she had suffered injuries during a sexual assault.

Dr Higgs' involvement has been criticised by Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell, who supported parents during the Cleveland child abuse crisis.

He said: "I'm very surprised and angered at this. Marietta Higgs should never have been put in a position to diagnose any allegation of child abuse.

"It was an error on the part of the health authority to allow her to be involved."

He said it would revive memories of the "horrendous" events in Cleveland.