CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal are to press ahead with legal action.

Members of a group which represents victims of the former North Yorkshire surgeon are in London this week to hand in a 42-page document to the High Court seeking a judicial review.

They are hoping to gain permission from the court to allow a review of the Department of Health's decision to hold a private inquiry.

The department has conceded that a private inquiry can be chaired by a senior barrister or "other demonstrably independent person", as opposed to a senior NHS doctor, which it originally suggested.

But members are determined to have the inquiry heard in public.

Mr Neale was struck off by the General Medical Council last year after being found guilty of botching operations and lying to patients.

Campaigners are still angry that the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, continued to support Mr Neale while he worked there, despite the increasing number of complaints from patients.

The trust eventually gave him a reference and a golden handshake of £100,000.

Graham Maloney, a spokesman for the patients group, said: "The main question which need to be answered is who sanctioned the reference and the ridiculous pay off to get rid of him?"