THE medical director of one of the North-East’s biggest hospital trusts has been suspended after he was arrested by Durham Police, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Last night, the force would only confirm that an unnamed employee of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust had been arrested and bailed in connection with an unspecified police inquiry.

The Northern Echo understands the employee is consultant gastroenterologist Dr Peter Moncur, who has worked at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust since 2005. He was appointed medical director last year.

Last night, trust officials confirmed Dr Moncur had been “excluded” from the trust, a technical expression that amounts to suspension, while an investigation takes place.

Officials would not disclose the nature of the investigation, but confirmed it was unconnected with the trust, which runs Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland hospitals, the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and community hospitals across the county.

Yesterday, trust employees were sent an email from chief executive Stephen Eames which said: “I regret that it has been necessary to exclude Dr Peter Moncur from his role with the trust as a result of a serious allegation made relating to matters outside of the trust. This exclusion is a wholly neutral step to allow for a full and fair investigation.”

An employee, who asked not to be identified, said: “Dr Moncur is held in very high regard generally and people are quite shocked.”

A trust spokesman said: “The trust has excluded its medical director as a neutral step while an investigation takes place into a matter outside of the trust.”

A police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that an employee of the County Durham and Darlington Foundation NHS Trust has been arrested and bailed following an allegation relating to a matter outside of the trust. Inquiries are continuing.”

Dr Moncur is listed on the website of the privately-run Spire Washington Hospital as a consultant physician and gastroenterologist – although the hospital said he had not worked for them for three years.

He was not available for comment last night.