were quashed in 2003. As a result of Professor Southall's intervention in 2000, the couple's surviving child was put at risk of being removed from Mr Clark and placed into care.

After considering Professor Southall's response to the television interview, the Professional Conduct Committee of the General Medical Council found him guilty of serious professional misconduct last August, ordering that he should not engage in any aspect of child protection work for three years.

This was challenged as unduly lenient by the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, a statutory regulator that oversees the GMC.

It said Professor Southall, a professor of paediatrics at North Staffordshire Hospital, University of Keele, should not be allowed to continue treating patients at all.

At a recent High Court hearing, the regulator asked the judge to uphold this view, but, lawyers for the GMC and the professor told the judge, striking off the "eminent and highly respected doctor" would be "disproportionate and draconian".

Last week, Mr Justice Collins agreed with the regulator that the restrictions were unduly lenient but concluded that "erasure" was not required.

The judge said it was in the public's interest that Professor Southall's "great skills" as a paediatrician not be lost, if that could be achieved without danger to the public.

The court imposed tighter restrictions on any future involvement Professor Southall might have in child protection work, and he could have his three-year suspension from child protection work extended.

After the ruling, Mr Clark said he was disappointed that Professor Southall had not been removed from the medical register but pleased that the doctor's conduct would be reviewed after three years.