LOS ANGELES • A gynaecologist at a California university has denied claims that he sexually abused his patients over decades, with the school coming under fire for allowing him to continue treating patients despite the allegations.

The case was brought to light by the Los Angeles Times, which published accounts from several current and former employees at the University of Southern California (USC) regarding Dr George Tyndall's behaviour towards his mostly adolescent patients.

The newspaper reported that the misconduct dated back to the 1990s, with Dr Tyndall accused of taking photographs of patients' genitals, supposedly for medical reasons, touching patients inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexual and racially discriminatory comments about patients.

Despite concerns raised by colleagues, nurses and patients, USC allowed Dr Tyndall to continue working until a formal complaint to the equality and diversity committee in 2016 sparked an internal investigation, the Times reported.

USC confirmed on Wednesday that Dr Tyndall has been fired.

So far, no students have reported him to the authorities.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE