OFFICIALS at the Richard Neale inquiry have said only a dozen former patients are expected to give evidence.

Inquiry secretary Colin Phillips said he had heard from more than 60 former patients, but only about a dozen were expected to give evidence.

Mr Phillips also confirmed that no new significant witnesses had come forward from the NHS.

Some of the first to arrive when the inquiry opened in York last week were two pensioners who said they had suffered at the hands of the former surgeon at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

The women, who asked not to be identified, said they were observing rather than taking part in the inquiry, which is being held behind closed doors.

They said: "We wanted more openness. It's wrong, really wrong to hold this in private. People should be allowed in."

Mr Neale worked at the Friarage between 1985 and 1995. Despite two investigations and a disclosure that he had been struck off in Canada, he was able to carry on operating.

It was not until a patient group launched a campaign to stop Mr Neale that he was suspended.

He was struck off the medical register in 2000 after 34 sample charges of serious professional misconduct were proven against him.

Read more about the Richard Neale scandal here.