LEADING members of the group which campaigned to have disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale struck off have been refused compensation by the NHS, it was revealed last night.

Other former patients of Mr Neale have rejected "insulting" offers of £15,000 for their years of suffering and vowed to fight on.

As of today, a total of 20 out of 71 women have been offered out-of-court settlements, some as little as £7,000.

An extra dozen offers were made following a meeting between solicitors representing both sides last week.

The payouts are chicken feed compared to the £100,000 paid to the surgeon by the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, in 1995 as part of a deal designed to persuade him to move elswhere.

The cash - together with a favourable reference - allowed Mr Neale to continue his chequered career in the NHS.

Pat Looms, 54, from Northallerton, who suffers from incontinence and bowel problems, said she could not believe it when she received a letter from her solicitors saying she would receive no compensation.

"I just don't know what to do. It is shattering news," said Mrs Looms.

Another prominent member of the group - who could not be reached last night - has been informed that there is not enough evidence to support her claim.

Graham Maloney, spokesman for the Neale victims, said: "We are outraged. We just can't understand how people who have suffered medically have not been offered compensation, especially Pat Looms."

Mr Maloney said it was "incredible" that no compensation was forthcoming for a woman who was recently referred to a top surgeon in Newcastle for possible restorative surgery.

Mrs Looms was one of the first of Mr Neale's former patients to benefit from a special scheme set up in the wake of the Neale scandal to provide fast-track corrective surgery.

Mrs Looms said: "I still can't believe it. I don't know what proof you need. It just makes you wonder what you have to do."

She said the former Friarage hospital surgeon operated on her on two occasions, to carry out a hysterectomy and a bladder suspension.

According to her solicitors, the NHS Litigation Authority "feel your complaints were not a consequence of the surgery. Also, your notes do not support the symptoms complained of."

But Simon John, a partner with Cunningham John, the firm of solicitors representing most claimants, said: "Their claims are not at an end. None of the cases have been actually rejected. It is simply that offers have not been made."

The next move is to get more details from clients and try again, he said.

Another meeting with the NHSLA has been arranged next month to try to agree more compensation offers.

David Towns, head of communication with the NHS Litigation Authority, said the offers made so far were based on expert advice and available evidence.

"What people have to bear in mind is that not every procedure carried out by Mr Neale was negligent," said Mr Towns.

The news is the second blow for the Neale patients support group in recent weeks.

Last month the Department of Health ignored calls for a public inquiry into the Neale affair and announced that an investigation would be held in private.