THERE is an inherent danger in self-regulation. It can lead to a complacency and weakness that puts the public trust in the process in jeopardy.

The General Medical Council's inadequacies in this respect have been demonstrated by its handling of the case of disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale.

The revelation that it was its own administrative blunder which allowed Mr Neale to work in Britain after being struck off in Canada surely has to prompt the end of the GMC's role as the disciplinary body of the medical profession.

The public no longer has faith in the medical profession to police its own members.

It is astounding that it has taken until now for the public to be aware of the scale of GMC's shortcomings in the whole Neale affair.

And it is sad to reflect on the fact that we may have been unaware of its failings had it not been for a leak from the inquiry being held into the case.

Because of the authorities' insistence to hold the inquiry in private there was no guarantee of the blunder being revealed, even in its final report.

It is a vindication of the many people who called for the inquiry to be held in public.

The Neale affair undoubtedly has raised issues of immense public interest. And in such circumstances there can be no justification for secrecy.