The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has this week decided that a Lincolnshire-based veterinary surgeon should be removed from the RCVS Register, having found him guilty of disgraceful professional conduct.

At the hearing, which concluded last Tuesday, Robert Morris, of Brant Broughton near Lincoln, was accused of falsely certifying a horse to be fit for sale, despite knowing that it had a respiratory problem that could prejudice its use in the future by its new owners.

Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr Brian Jennings, said: "Reliable veterinary certification is a cornerstone of the profession. We are sure that Mr Morris signed the certificate when he knew that there were signs of disease or abnormalities with this horse. Such behaviour amounts to disgraceful professional conduct and will not be tolerated. It is therefore both appropriate and proportionate to remove Mr Morris's name from the Register."