A RETIRED North-East doctor has condemned as "insulting" comments made about foreign doctors by Conservative shadow health secretary Liam Fox.
Dr Fox caused controversy when he said some overseas-trained doctors working for the NHS could not speak English properly.
He believes they should pass a more stringent language test before they are allowed in the country.
Dr Abdul Jaleel, a Pakistani-born and trained doctor, says Dr Fox's comments are insulting and could undermine the trust between patients and doctors.
"I think his comments are inflammatory, especially when 30 per cent of doctors working in the NHS have been trained overseas," said Dr Jaleel, who worked as a consultant physician at Darlington Memorial Hospital before his retirement.
"And it shows the Tories are so desperate they are attempting to make political gain out of targeting asylum seekers and overseas-trained doctors.
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