POLICE in Canada are planning to set up a special team of detectives and medical experts to investigate allegations against disgraced North Yorkshire surgeon Richard Neale.

The cases of up to 62 women are due to be examined by detectives in Ontario. The scale of the inquiry in Canada could ultimately lead to Mr Neale's extradition.

News of the investigation has fuelled British campaigners calls for a major inquiry into the circumstances which allowed the surgeon to operate on patients at The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton after being struck off in Canada.

This week's announcement that The Friarage has parted company with chief executive Tony Bruce and asked a national support team to work with them has not placated campaigners, who represent more than 200 former Neale patients.

Graham Maloney, spokesman for the Action and Support Group for Medical Victims of Richard Neale, said; "It is unforgivable that Neale was allowed to operate on UK women when the information about his previous exploits in Canada was readily available to the authorities. We need a major inquiry to ensure this cannot happen again."

Sergeant Jim Grimley, a spokesman for Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario, described the potential cost of the inquiry as "staggering".

"We did not realise this was going to be so big," he said. But he added that the investigation "is not something that is going to be shelved".

A growing number of women have contacted the authorities after a documentary about Mr Neale was shown on Canadian television earlier this year.

The experience parallels what happened in the UK after a documentary about Mr Neale was screened by Panorama last year.

The former Friarage Hospital gynaecologist, who was struck off in the UK this summer, is now being investigated by police in Ontario and North Yorkshire, where detectives are looking into three deaths.

There are also 72 outstanding complaints against the Friarage Hospital from former patients of Mr Neale. In addition, 15-20 women who were private patients of Mr Neale are taking legal action.

The Canadian inquiry involves 32 official complainants and another 30 whose details have been passed to the police from a support group.

Mr Neale, 52, from near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, was removed from the UK Medical Registar after the General Medical Council found him guilty of 34 out of 35 misconduct charges.