operating at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Chaikou Bah also lost the right to admit patients when two doctors claimed he was not properly qualified to perform spinal surgery at the hospital.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board stripped him of his privileges in June.

His ban followed recommendations from two Canadian specialists, Dr. Charles Sorbie and Dr. Marcel Dvorak.

It is understood they questioned whether or not the doctor had the proper qualifications to practise.

Dr. Bah, speaking from his Paget home, said: "I can't talk about it. I would have to get permission from my lawyer first.

"It's going to be in court and all the evidence will come out then.

He confirmed he still ran a private practice in Bermuda.

His lawyer, Richard Hector, revealed legal proceedings had begun against Dr.

Bah's former hospital bosses.

He said Dr. Bah was appealing for his privileges to be returned, following the recommendations from Dr. Sorbie and Dr. Dvorak.

Mr. Hector said: "I don't want to give too much publicity to this before it comes before the court.

"The Board removed Dr. Bah's privileges and we are asking that the whole decision be reviewed by the court.

"He was appointed as an active member of the medical staff with full hospital privileges. Then his appointment was terminated by the Board.

"I can't go into why that happened. We are simply saying that it should be reviewed.'' Dr. Bah ran a private practice in Montreal before moving to Bermuda two years ago.

He opened his own surgery at Berry Hill Road before applying for the right to operate at the hospital.

He filed a writ yesterday to apply for a judicial review of an inquiry by Dr.

Sorbie and Dr. Dvorak between May 14 and May 19.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "Hospital privileges include the right to operate at the hospital.

"Most doctors apply for privileges, meaning they can admit patients and perform operations in the hospital.

"Others stay in private practice and don't ask for the privileges. Privileges are renewable every couple of years, depending on the doctor's status.'' Dr. Bah is urging the court to overturn the recommendations of Dr. Sorbie and Dr. Dvorak. He also wants the hospital to reverse its decision to terminate his privileges.

The writ shows that hospital Chief of Staff Dr. John Patton accepted the doctors' recommendations in a letter dated June 10. Dr. Patton was off the Island and unavailable for comment.