The Inverness Courier revealed on Friday that the trainee surgical specialist registrar, whose identity has been protected by colleagues, posted offensive language about Professor Dame Carol Black on an internet forum for medical professionals.

His subsequent suspension, due to his outspoken views, sparked off a national row among doctors on the issue of free speech.

Messages backing the junior doctor and criticising the moves of senior medical figures have been sent to The Inverness Courier.

"The accountability of some and not of others really leaves a nasty taste in the mouth," said Philip Kelly, registrar in medicine at the Royal London Hospital. "Many clinicians are keen that that imbalance does not persist."

Professor Gillian Needham, postgraduate dean at the North of Scotland Deanery, brought the junior doctor's actions to the attention of NHS Highland after being tipped off by London colleagues.

The health authority, as the junior doctor's employers, issued the indefinite suspension.

It is understood the comments were a reaction to the re-election of Professor Black as the chairwoman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which promotes and supports the work of colleges and their faculties.

Professor Black, who is also chairwoman of the Nuffield Trust and the UK Government's national director for health and work, has been a controversial figure since overseeing changes to the training regime for junior doctors.

Medical insiders, some using pseudonyms, have described the case as a monumental abuse of power.

"Many doctors also are outraged at the behaviour of the deans involved," said "Dr Silenced".

"This is a breach of human rights and has ramifications for freedom of speech within medicine for years to come."

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