The General Medical Council decided that restrictions on Mr Janardan Dhasmana's work should be lifted.

Although there was no ban on him operating on adults, he was banned from operating on children for three years after the scandal.

But despite the reprieve, Mr Dhasmana has given an undertaking that he has no intention of doing so again.

The committee have concluded that there will not be any risk to the public by the removal of the condition on your registration

Professor Kenneth Hobbs, GMC Professional Conduct Committee chairman

One of the parents whose baby died at Bristol told BBC News Online she was "devastated" by the news the restrictions on Mr Dhasmana's practice had been removed.

The surgeon was sacked by the trust which runs the Bristol Royal Infirmary after the scandal - and then Health Secretary Frank Dobson said in a Newsnight interview that he felt the surgeon should have been struck off along with his colleagues James Wisheart and John Roylance.

That, combined with the publicity surrounding the case, have meant he has been virtually unemployable.

And the inquiry report into events at Bristol was only mildly critical of his role in the affair

However, no question marks were raised over his skills in adult surgery which made up a significant proportion of his work.

Retraining

The chairman of the GMC's professional conduct committee Professor Kenneth Hobbs said: "The committee have concluded that there will not be any risk to the public by the removal of the condition on your registration not to undertake paediatric cardiac surgery.

"The committee has determined that there is no longer any necessity for the protection of the public for your registration to remain subject to any restrictions."

The committee was impressed by Mr Dhasmana for undertaking a period of retraining in Newcastle upon Tyne "at great personal expense."

Professor Hobbs added: "The committee would like to acknowledge the excellent and original retraining programme devised for you.

"They would commend it as a template for future retraining in similar situations."

As the professional conduct committee gave its verdict after more than three hours of deliberation there was applause from supporters in the public gallery.

Dr Dhasmana left the hearing smiling but made no comment.

His solicitor Sam Flew said: "He expresses his deepest sympathies for the families who have lost a child.

"He is relieved that the ordeal of the last six years is in part over. He would like to thank all those who have supported him throughout."

But Michaela Willis, whose son Daniel died in 1993, aged one week, was distraught at the news.

"It feels like the last eight years have been a complete waste.

"I am absolutely devastated. I just can't believe it."

Mrs Willis said she had no objection to Mr Dhasmana operating on adults, but added: "After all this time, not operating on children."