The watchdog governing British doctors faces damning criticism from the inquiry into the serial killer Dr Harold Shipman for its failure to protect patients, according to the medical magazine Pulse.
Pulse said today that a leaked letter from the inquiry to the General Medical Council accused the watchdog of being self-serving, biased in favour of doctors and overly secretive.
The Shipman Inquiry was set up to examine the role of the GMC during the time that Britain's most prolific serial killer murdered at least 215 patients, and also its conduct afterwards.
Under 17 separate headings, the confidential letter criticises the council for its investigations, administration, attitude, policies and practices, Pulse said.
It calls into question the GMC's "failure to lay down clear policies so as to properly reflect its claimed objective of protecting patients".
The inquiry also argues that the GMC lacked objectivity and that their prejudices "favoured the doctor over the claimant".
The criticisms are a hammer blow for the GMC, which came under sustained attack when Shipman's crimes first came to light but has since undertaken a comprehensive reform programme.
Under threat is the controversial self-regulation regime for GPs overseen by the GMC.
Chief executive Mr Finlay Scott attacked Pulse for attempting to "interfere with the processes of the Shipman Inquiry".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said it was "another matter" whether the points would be raised in the inquiry's final findings.
The leaked letter was sent to the council in late December to give it a chance to respond before the final report was drafted.
It states that the council may be censured not only for its performance during the period of Shipman's crimes but also for subsequent reforms and its current policies.
Shipman hung himself in his cell last month after being convicted in January 2000 of murdering 15 patients. The inquiry has found that he murdered at least 215.