A HOSPITAL consultant in Kirklees is to return to work after an 18-month absence, following a legal battle over race discrimination.

A senior manager at the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, has apologised to Dr Tasneem Tariq after threatening "to kick her arse all the way to Islamabad" during a staff meeting at Dewsbury Hospital.

Dr Tariq, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dewsbury District Hospital, was off work for around a year- and- a- half, initially on sick leave and then on special leave as the dispute dragged on.

During her absence her work was covered by a locum consultant.

The dispute was settled on the eve of an employment tribunal. It is believed a five-figure settlement was agreed.

A statement on behalf of the hospital trust said: " Dr Aslam-Tariq and the Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are happy to announce that the litigation between the parties has been resolved to mutual satisfaction without the need for any Employment Tribunal hearing.

"The parties look forward to Dr Aslam-Tariq's return to practice at Dewsbury, where she will be a valuable member of a team committed to the progressive development of the obstetrics and gynaecology department within the Trust."

Dr Tariq, of Idle, Bradford, was the first female hospital consultant to become president of the Bradford and Airedale branch of the British Medical Association, the doctors' trade union, in November 2002.

The branch is one of the biggest in the BMA and covers 700 hospital consultants, family doctors and medical students.

During her installation speech she urged members to play a greater role in shaping, managing and developing health services.

A spokesman for the BMA said:"It is great news that Mrs Tariq's case has been settled and she can finally return to work, treating the people of Dewsbury"