CAMPAIGNERS have held talks with Government officials over plans to hold an inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal.

The group, which has been campaigning on behalf of victims of the disgraced surgeon, requested the meeting because they are unhappy that the inquiry is to be held behind closed doors.

Mr Neale was struck off the medical register last year after the General Medical Council (GMC) found that he had botched operations at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, and lied to patients.

Graham Maloney, spokesman for the group, said the meeting was "very positive" and was hopeful of making progress.

"We made it very clear that the present form of inquiry is unacceptable. We were promised a full and independent inquiry but it is not what we have been given," said Mr Maloney.

The group is keen to ensure that the role played by the GMC and the management of the Friarage Hospital are properly investigated, in public.

Mr Maloney said many of the botched operations could have been prevented if action had been taken at an earlier stage.

The group is considering mounting a legal challenge to the inquiry by seeking a judicial review.

In recent months, many of the women operated on by Mr Neale have been given a fast-track assessment by an NHS specialist as part of special arrangements set up by the Department of Health.

Mr Maloney said the special clinic had been "tremendous" and had helped to restore faith in the NHS.

But the fact that 69 of the women seen at a private hospital in Harrogate had been referred to a senior gynaecologist in Newcastle underlined the need for a thorough investigation, he said.

The Department of Health has promised a full and independent inquiry into the Neale affair.