One of the country's leading back specialists has been accused of unacceptable behaviour in a row over the secret filming of 'unfit' Luton factory workers.

The General Chiropractic Council has ordered Graham Heale to appear before its professional conduct committee to answer charges concerning three IBC Vehicles employees.

Two of the cases involved Mr Heale viewing covert surveillance videos of workers to decide whether they were fit enough to work at the Kimpton Road van plant.

IBC is one of several companies which have hired private detectives to establish whether staff have fraudulently taken time off sick or claimed compensation for alleged injuries suffered at work.

Secret filming is also used by the Department of Work and Pensions in operations to uncover suspected benefits fraud. It is the second time in two years that Mr Heale, who has treated hundreds of people at his clinic in Sundon Park Road, Luton, has been hauled in front of the GCC's conduct panel.

He has practised in the town for 24 years and is considered one of Britain's top experts in the treatment of people with muscle and joint disorders, many with spinal problems, by manipulation.

At a five-day hearing in London next week, the chiropractic council will decide whether Mr Heale acted professionally when asked to examine the IBC workers.

In the case of a man known as Mr A, it is said that in July last year Mr Heale looked at an edited surveillance video and prepared a report for IBC on the employee's physical fitness to work.

But it's claimed that he failed to take "due care" in writing the report as he did not obtain all the relevant information and relied solely on the film footage.

It is alleged that Mr Heale did not examine Mr A, communicate with his GP or try to look at medical notes held by him or the worker's occupational health records.

The chiropractor faces similar charges involving a man called Mr C after he viewed a video of him at the end of 2004.

In both cases it is claimed Mr Heale acted in a way which may undermine public confidence in the chiropractic profession or bring it into disrepute.

There was no video in the third case, concerning a Mr B, who Mr Heale examined in July 2004 and then wrote a report for his bosses.

The medic is accused of failing to meet the requirements of his profession's code of practice by not making Mr B aware of the purpose of the examination, his relationship with Mr B's employers and what had been asked of the chiropractor by IBC.

It is said that having examined Mr B, he failed to report his findings to him and did not obtain Mr B's written consent to release the information to the third party (IBC).

Mr Heale this week told The Luton News that he had been advised by his solicitor not to comment until after the hearing, but that he "rigorously denies all of these allegations".

IBC spokesman David Crundwell said: "IBC's number one priority is the safety and welfare of its employees. As a result, very occasionally it has proved necessary to investigate allegations made against employees. This we do as openly and fairly as possible."

Mr Heale is a former president of the British Chiropractic Association and his patients have included Princess Diana, TV celebrity Bill Oddie and Britain's tallest man. He has carried out more than 110,000 treatments during his career.