The GP accused of trading in human organs has told the General Medical Council he has never taken money for arranging a transplant operation.

Dr Bhagat Singh Makkar, 62, from south London, is alleged to have told an undercover journalist that he could obtain a kidney for the man's father in exchange for a fee.

But the doctor, who is now retired, told the GMC's professional conduct committee the allegations were false.

I want to clear my name

Dr Bhagat Singh Makkar

His evidence came as the GMC confirmed that a second doctor is set to face a disciplinary hearing over claims that he has been involved in trading organs.

Dr Jarnail Singh, who practises in Coventry, is expected to come before the GMC in October.

'Question of honour'

But giving evidence on Thursday, Dr Makkar said he was determined to clear his name.

"It is a question of honour," he said.

"I never did anything wrong in my life, not in 30 years of exemplary career. I want to clear my name."

Dr Makkar told the committee he had retired on 30 March 2001 and was not working at present.

He confirmed that he had set up a company called International Health Services Ltd to take patients abroad for medical treatment but said he had never traded.

The doctor denied that the company, of which he was director and his wife was company secretary, had ever been involved in kidney transplantation, saying it had been concerned with cosmetic procedures and general surgery only.

Earlier the professional conduct committee rejected calls from Dr Makkar's lawyers for the case to be thrown out.

The lawyers had claimed that it would be unfair to use taped conversations between the former GP and the journalist as evidence in the case.

They claimed that Dr Makkar had been a victim of entrapment by journalists. They also suggested the tapes were of "pitiful" quality.

But after adjourning on Thursday morning, the committee ruled that the tapes were admissible and that it was fair to use them.

Transcripts of the tapes, which were partly in Punjabi, show Dr Makkar did not actually agree to the transaction.

However, he makes it clear he is aware of how the procedure might take place and that he knows a hospital in India where it might happen.

Dr Makkar said he was confused when he discussed the matter with the journalist.

"My mind went totally blank, I was tired, I wish I could explain. I am ashamed of myself for saying these things."

Asked if he had promised to find a donor in return for a fee, he said: "No. I was trying to say I'd make enquiries about it"

The case continues.