A SKIVING doctor given compassionate leave after claiming his sister died in the September 11 terror attack on New York, was yesterday suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Sidharth Sahni, a senior house officer in plastic surgery, was suspended from practising as a doctor for a year after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct in Manchester.

He was given leave after telling staff his sister had been on one of the two planes which struck the World Trade Centre.

But checks by his bosses at Cross House, Hospital, Kilmarnock, revealed no one of Indian nationality was killed in the tragedy.

Dr Sahni was senior house officer at Shotley Bridge Hospital, County Durham, from 1997 to 1999, during which time he sought leave to take an exam in London. It later turned out that he was not even eligible to sit the exam.

A spokesman for North Durham Health Care NHS Trust said: "We are aware of a number of issues relating to Doctor Sahni and have fully co-operated with the GMC hearing."

GMC prosecuting counsel Rowena Goode said: "Given the serious nature of the findings against him and in order to protect the public, the committee have determined it is necessary to suspend Dr Sahni's registrations with immediate effect."

Miss Goode said Dr Sahni joined Cross House Hospital in 2001, where he obtained three days off on the pretence of attending a breast cancer conference, and also lied about passing an examination for the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow.

Dr Sahni, who is believed to be living in India, did not attend the GMC hearing.