HTHE government is ordering an inquiry into the scandal of disgraced surgeon Mr Richard Neale.

The decision, revealed this week, has come as good news to the women patients of the former Northallerton consultant.

A 200-strong group has been campaigning for an inquiry into how the scandal was handled since Mr Neale, former head of maternity services at the Friarage hospital, was struck off by the General Medical Council last year.

This week Health Minister Mr John Hutton confirmed the government's intention to hold "a full and independent review of the case in due course."

Mr Graham Maloney, spokesman for the action group, was delighted by the news but said he hoped the inquiry would be in public. He emphasised the need to thoroughly investigate the role played by the GMC and management of the Friarage.

Mr Hutton said the review would be ordered as soon as appropriate.

He said there were some restraints on initiating an inquiry "given that we understand that there has been a referral to the police and that medical litigation is in train."