Calls for suspended surgeon's return

Dr Mattu was suspended from Walsgrave hospital

Twenty three consultants have written to the government calling for a suspended heart specialist to be restored to his post.

The senior doctors want Dr Raj Mattu's case to be independently investigated.

Dr Mattu has been suspended on full pay for more than two years from Coventry's Walsgrave hospital.

His suspension followed allegations that he bullied junior doctors.

It is the third suspension at the hospital which has been criticised in a national audit office report.

Dr Mattu's supporters have claimed he is being victimised after criticising the hospital's controversial practice of putting five patients in four bay wards.

The practice was halted in August 2001 and an internal inquiry began.