Support is continuing to grow for Oxford plastic surgeon Henk Giele, who was struck off for having an affair with an "emotionally fragile" patient.

As Mr Giele's lawyers confirmed that he was planning a High Court appeal against the General Medical Council's decision, many people who were treated by the former Radcliffe Infirmary doctor want him reinstated.

They say the alleged affair did not warrant him being struck off -- the same punishment given to late GP Harold Shipman for murdering hundreds of elderly patients.

The General Medical Council erased Mr Giele from the doctors' register after finding him guilty of serious professional misconduct.

His supporters have been backed by the Hospital Consultants and Specialists' Association, which claimed policies introduced by the Government after the Shipman inquiry have forced the GMC to take harsh measures against discredited members.

The latest patient to speak in Mr Giele's defence is former retained firefighter Steve Pearce, 45, of Pocock Close, Bampton, who says the surgeon saved his life when he suffered injuries during a fire at Henry Box School, Witney, in 2000.

Mr Pearce added: "I broke my ankle and had multiple fractures in my leg and was treated initially at the John Radcliffe Hospital. I contracted MRSA, which took a big chunk out of my leg.

Steve Pearce "Mr Giele reconstructed it during a 13-hour operation. Without him I would have definitely lost it, and I think the MRSA could probably have killed me."

Jasmine Rae and her partner Daniel Clarke, of Farmhouse Meadow, Witney, whose three-year-old son Toby was born without the three middle fingers on his left hand, are also protesting about the GMC decision.

Miss Rae, 25, said: "We were disgusted to hear he had been struck off. Toby has been treated by Mr Giele since birth. He has already had one operation and is due to have another this year.

"Mr Giele is marvellous, and especially good with children."

Mr Giele's friend Alison New is launching an Internet petition urging the GMC to reverse its decision. She said: "We should be on line within the next few weeks, and then people will be able to give their support. The GMC has been very harsh."

Mr Giele, who is now married, has 28 days to decide whether to appeal, and if he does, the case will be heard by the High Court.

According to the GMC, doctors must:

Make the care of their patient their first concern.

Treat every patient politely and considerately.

Respect patients' dignity and privacy.

Listen to patients and respect their views.

Give patients information in a way they can understand.

Respect the rights of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care.

Keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date.

Recognise the limits of their professional competence.

Be honest and trustworthy.

Respect and protect confidential information.

Make sure their personal beliefs do not prejudice their patients' care.

Act quickly to protect patients from risk if they have good reason to believe they or a colleague may not be fit to practise.

Avoid abusing their position as a doctor.

Work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients' interests.