An MP today called for a top-level inquiry after a prison doctor was sacked for having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at high-security Armley jail.

John Anthony Sykes, of Scholes near Cleckheaton, was fired from his job after a Prison Service inquiry into allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a prisoner.

The inquiry found him guilty of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, but an allegation of sexual assault was unproven.

He has now been prevented from working as a locum GP in Bradford, Leeds, or Wakefield, but is free to practise anywhere else in the country because his case has not been referred to the General Medical Council which regulates the profession.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said he was astounded that the details of Dr Sykes's sacking were not being investigated by the GMC.

"This guy is clearly guilty of professional misconduct, so as a very minimum it should have been referred to the GMC and appropriate disciplinary action taken," he said.

"This is a clear breach of trust. If it has been sufficient for him to be dismissed, then it should surely be referred to the GMC for a proper inquiry.

"One wonders what records are kept of incidents like this. How would this doctor be affected if he went to work in Scotland, for example. Following the Shipman case, perhaps it is time for a new regulatory body that is pro-active instead of reactive.

"The public need to be able to have complete trust in those in responsible positions such as teachers and doctors. If there has been a breach of trust in one situation, they are quite likely to do it again."

The Prison Service inquiry into Dr Sykes's conduct was exclusively revealed in the Telegraph & Argus when he was initially suspended in June last year.

Today a Prison Service spokesman said: "A disciplinary hearing was held into allegations that this individual had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner. As a result he was dismissed from his post."

He said that what had taken place was a breach of prison rules.

A police investigation into the allegations was later dropped on the instructions of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Since his dismissal, Dr Sykes, of Scholes Lane, is understood to have been looking for alternative employment around West Yorkshire.

However, he was referred to the West Yorkshire Central Services Agency (WYCSA) in Leeds earlier this year, which manages GP records.

Following a hearing of the agency's reference committee on May 28, Dr Sykes was turned down for the supplementary list, preventing him from working as a locum GP in Bradford, Leeds, or Wakefield.

Today a spokesman for the agency refused to comment on why Dr Sykes had been rejected.

He said Dr Sykes is appealing against the committee's decision.

The GMC, which has the power to strike-off GPs accused of misconduct, confirmed that Dr Sykes had a clean record and was free to practise. Its spokesman said it had not received a formal complaint about Dr Sykes.

When contacted by the T&A yesterday, Dr Sykes confirmed he was sacked by the Prison Service. He declined to comment on the reason why.

A spokesman for the Medical Defence Union, which is representing Dr Sykes, said he was also unwilling to comment on his exclusion from the supplementary list.