Dr Sharwan Kumar Mehra, 67, of Darras Hall, Ponteland, Northumberland, has been charged in connection with the death of Craig Vose, from Aberdeen.

Mr Vose was found dead in cells at Pilgrim Street Police Station in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 19 last year.

He had been arrested the previous day on suspicion of shoplifting.

A police spokesman said Dr Mehra had attended his cell for a "medical matter".

"We cannot say any more at the moment," he said.

Dr Mehra was suspended from the Police Surgeon Scheme in May last year. Police carried out a full investigation and a file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.