DISGRACED former York psychiatrist Michael Haslam is set to be allowed out of jail to attend the NHS inquiry into the sex assault scandal.

Organisers say Haslam - who indecently assaulted three women patients in the 1980s - has indicated he wishes to participate in the hearings, which start next Tuesday at York's Hilton Hotel.

Inquiry secretary Colin Phillips said officials would be in discussions today with him, his solicitor and prison governor over arrangements for him to give evidence personally if he wants.

It was also planned for him to hear evidence given by former patients which was of relevance to him. But he would not be present in the same room and a video link would probably be used to another room at the hotel.

One of Haslam's victims was "stunned and shocked" last night when the Evening Press broke the news to her of Haslam's role in the inquiry.

"Just when I thought it could not get any worse..." said the Ryedale woman, who was indecently assaulted while being given carbon dioxide therapy by Haslam in 1988 and has agreed to give evidence to the inquiry.

"I am absolutely stunned and shocked. I had no idea about this.

"I thought he had lost his right of reply after he was convicted. The remit of the inquiry is to investigate how the NHS handled complaints against him and I cannot understand how he is able to contribute to that."

Another of Haslam's victims, Lila Taylor of York, who was twice indecently assaulted during massages in 1981, said she and other women would have concerns if Haslam was present in the hotel at the same time as her.

"I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with him in a corridor," she said.

She understood the need to put questions to him, but asked: "Why can't it be done via a video link from the prison?"

Mr Phillips stressed that steps would be taken to ensure patients do not meet or see Haslam if they do not wish.

He said a video link from the prison had been rejected by the inquiry chairman because it would be operationally easier for him to be present in the building. He said it was not a matter of Haslam having the right of reply, but the need for him to answer questions raised during the course of the inquiry.

Mr Phillips said another former York psychiatrist, William Kerr, who is also the subject of the inquiry after being found at a court hearing of fact in 2000 to have indecently assaulted a former patient, did not wish to participate.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, June 04, 2004