ONE of Britain's leading gynaecologists escaped being suspended yesterday - even though he lied to the General Medical Council (GMC).

Professor Kyprianos Nicholaides faced a disciplinary hearing, in May 1998, into allegations he had made insulting and sexual remarks to Jennifer Sabin, of Morpeth, Northumberland.

He told the hearing that he had never previously received complaints about sexual harassment and was found not guilty.

But just months before, his personal assistant, Shelley Ormerod, had alleged that he had physically and verbally harassed her.

Professor Nicholaides was found guilty of serious professional misconduct yesterday, for trying to mislead the GMC at the 1998 hearing.

He faced the possibility of being suspended from practice, but escaped with the severest reprimands.

Committee chairman Professor Peter Richards said: "The public is entitled to expect that doctors are honest and trustworthy. Your conduct has fallen seriously short of the standards.

"You have been guilty of a grave, inexcusable error of judgement, and this panel records its complete condemnation of your dishonesty.

"But it accepts that you are an excellent, hard-working, and highly conscientious doctor, working at the forefront of your speciality."

Following the case, a spokesman for Professor Nicolaides said: "He has asked me to say that he is devastated at yesterday's finding.

"He is, however, relieved that he can continue to practice and to look after his patients, to whom he has always been dedicated."