A CHIROPRACTOR accused of having a "cavalier" attitude to consent when dealing with female patients has been suspended for two months.

Five women complained to the General Chiropractic Council regarding their treatment by Peter McCann, of Beneficial Chiropractic Clinic, in Blackwell Lane, Darlington.

In November 2012, one woman complained that he unfastened her bra and pulled down her underwear for treatment - without warning or consent - leaving her feeling shocked and upset.

She also said there was no private changing room and she had to undress behind a screen while Mr McCann was in the room.

In a statement, Mr McCann said while he had not asked for specific permission to unfasten her bra, he had made it clear the treatment would not be possible without doing so.

He said this was something he had done in all five of the patient's treatments and she had never raised any concerns.

In February last year, a patient also complained that during a massage, Mr McCann patted her buttocks and cupped her right cheek, which she found intrusive.

Mr McCann was arrested and interviewed about the allegation, but the patient chose not to pursue her complaint and the police took no further action.

An investigating committee found there was no evidence to suggest Mr McCann’s treatments were sexually motivated, but the two complaints, along with a third, have been referred to the Professional Conduct Committee and will be heard next month.

In September, a fourth patient complained about a buttock massage given by Mr McCann for back pain, during which she said she felt an excruciating pain and had her underwear pulled down, leaving her feeling awkward, embarrassed and ‘very violated.’

The patient wrote about her experience on Facebook, prompting a fifth patient to complain about her treatment some four years ago.

She claimed Mr McCann had pulled her underwear down below her bottom and that while lying on her back, he had opened her legs slightly leaving her feeling exposed and in shock.

Although Mr McCann strenuously denies acting inappropriately and does not accept any of the allegations, he has since significantly altered his practice and all examinations of female patients are now carried out with a female chaperone, currently his wife.

The committee said while there could be clinical justification to partially remove underwear, Mr McCann's cavalier attitude to consent when dealing with female patients who are partially dressed presented a risk of significant harm and that the public need to be protected.

Mr McCann was handed a two-month interim suspension order, which began on November 18.