A surgeon who sent a Christmas card with three kisses to a 16-year-old patient said he was acting as a father figure.

Dr Mohannad al-Fallouji told a professional conduct committee at the General Medical Council: "It was the spirit of Christmas."

In the card, he described the patient as "more charming than many Hollywood stars".

The 51-year-old consultant general surgeon is appearing before the council's professional conduct committee in central London where he denies accusations of sexual harassment and bullying.

There was nothing - I was a father figure for her

Dr Mohannad al-Fallouji

The doctor has defended his conduct, saying it was purely professional.

Dr al-Fallouji, of the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, told the hearing: "I gave her my telephone numbers in case she needed anything in the future.

"If there was any unprofessional relationship, why should I give her my work number?

"I should give her my mobile telephone number."

The hearing has been told that the hospital suggested there was an improper relationship taking place between Dr Al-Fallouji and the patient.

'I was trusted'

He said: "The hospital poisoned the mother. There was nothing. I was a father figure for her.

" The mother fully trusted me. Later on, the hospital put this idea in the mother's head."

In his card, sent in December 1998, Dr al-Fallouji said: "I was ecstatic to see you recovering so well.

"The time has come not to look at you as a patient, but as a lovely woman. I must take you for a meal, but keep it quiet.

'Secret admirer'

"Telephone from a phone box. I will be waiting."

He signed off with three kisses from her "secret admirer".

Dr al-Fallouji, now of from Liversedge, West Yorkshire, said the card was one of two dozen he sent at Christmas.

Following his suspension in 1999, he said all of his actions had been misinterpreted.

'Tactless manner'

He is also accused of telling a female medical student there was no place for women in surgery "unless they were doing breast surgery".

He then asked the student to have dinner and spend the night at his house, the hearing was told.

In another case, a student complained he cupped her face with his hands at their first meeting.

Dr al-Fallouji also came under criticism for the way in which he broke bad news to his patients.

A woman who received shock news she had cancer was told she should feel privileged she had time to prepare for her death, the hearing was told.

But Dr al-Falloujio said he had heard no complaints from patients about his manner.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.