THE second and final phase of the inquiry into the actions of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale is under way in London.

Mr Neale was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council (GMC) three years ago after he botched a string of operations.

The inquiry was ordered by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn to investigate how the NHS handled the large numbers of complaints made against Mr Neale when he worked at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and other UK hospitals between 1985 and 2000.

Former patients of Mr Neale have threatened to sue the GMC after the regulatory body said that an administrative mix-up on their part had allowed Mr Neale to continue operating in the UK, despite him being struck off in Canada.

The panel, headed by Deputy High Court Judge Suzan Matthews, has already heard three months of evidence in York.

Now the members of the panel will listen to independent experts to help them assess the written and oral evidence which has been presented to them.

Colin Phillips, secretary to the Neale inquiry, said five seminars were being held, three this week and two next week.

He said: "We have invited experts to address some of the issues that have come up in the inquiry."

The resumed inquiry is being held at the City Barbican Hotel, in London.

All parties involved in the inquiry, including Mr Neale's former patients, have been invited to attend.

Mr Phillips said he was aware that a number of former patients were attending as observers.

He said he was confident the panel's report would be given to Health Secretary John Reid before the end of the year.

A protest group representing most of Mr Neale's victims is continuing to boycott the hearing because members feel that the inquiry should have been held in public.