Three women are set to sue a disgraced doctor for compensation, The Argus can reveal.

The claims have been launched by patients of former Brighton GP Rodney Tate.

The 71-year-old was struck-off by the General Medical Council last year after its fitness to practice panel upheld misconduct charges against him.

He was alleged to have carried out intimate examinations on seven women at his surgery in Old Steine, Brighton, without explaining why.

Solicitor Sarah Harman, who represents the three women, confirmed yesterday that they are claiming damages from Mr Tate of Dyke Road Avenue, Brighton.

A case management hearing is expected to take place at Brighton County Court early next year when dates will be set for a full hearing.

Mr Tate is expected to contest the claims as he did in the case of a fourth former patient in July.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleged he indecently assaulted her during an examination in 2002.

She said the incident happened after she asked Mr Tate to examine a scar from a stomach operation to see if it would withstand pregnancy.

Her lawyers asked for the legal time limit of three years in which a claim should be brought to be extended.

Judge Jonathan Simpkiss, in a reserved judgement, ruled last month that the limitation period could not be extended and dismissed the application.

Ms Harman said: “That particular case did not succeed but there are others on-going at the moment.

“There are three others being considered but I cannot say any more at the moment.”

A GMC panel spent two months considering misconduct charges against Mr Tate during a hearing in London last year.

He was found to have carried out intimate examinations on seven female patients without their consent.

The panel ruled that Mr Tate had failed to explain to them why the intrusive examinations were necessary.

When they complained to doctors and staff at the surgery he dismissed the allegations telling his colleagues the women were mad.

The panel found that Mr Tate's conduct had fallen seriously below the standard expected of a general practitioner and his fitness to practice had been impaired.

The complaints date back to 1984.

Mr Tate was charged in 2003 with indecently assaulting 14 women but was acquitted at Lewes Crown Court.