A former prison doctor has been suspended from practising as a GP for 18 months by the General Medical Council.

John Anthony Sykes, of Scholes, near Cleckheaton, was suspended by the GMC's interim order committee, which has powers to place interim conditions or suspension on a doctor's registration while he or she is under investigation.

A GMC spokesman said he could not give details concerning any allegations surrounding Dr Sykes, but said the suspension was not a finding of guilt.

"He is currently suspended by us and will be for 18 months, until August 19, 2004," said the spokesman. "This means he cannot work, pending further investigation, and his registration is suspended. If a doctor has an interim order made against him, it is reviewed after six months, then every three months."

Dr Sykes, of Scholes Lane, was suspended as prison doctor at Armley prison in June 2001 and then dismissed by the Prison Service after an inquiry found him guilty of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. But an allegation of sexual assault was unproven.

He was then prevented from working as a locum GP in Bradford, Leeds or Wakefield, but was free to practise anywhere else in the country, because his case had not then been referred to the GMC, which regulates the profession.

Since his dismissal, Dr Sykes is understood to have been seeking alternative employment around West Yorkshire. He was referred to the West Yorkshire Central Services Agency (WYCSA) in Leeds early last year.

Following a hearing of the agency's reference committee on May 28, 2002, Dr Sykes was turned down for the supplementary list.

Dr Sykes declined to comment on the GMC's decision.