By Benjamin Russell

Copyright bbc

A preliminary hearing in Edinburgh was told that these efforts have included letters, emails and phone calls to hospitals where he is understood have been working, and contact with professional bodies who represented him in the past.

However, the inquiry cannot compel Eljamel to give evidence if he is not living in the UK.

The inquiry will also investigate whether Eljamel or the health board concealed information about his professional conduct, and whether the systems in place were sufficient to protect patients.

Counsel to the inquiry Jamie Dawson KC said 158 “core participants” are set to contribute, including 133 of Mr Eljamel’s former patients, and the representatives of a further 19 patients.

Opening statements to the inquiry will be held in November with three weeks set aside in February for evidential hearings.

These will provide a general background and overview of Eljamel’s career to provide context.

Former patients are expected to give evidence in the spring, with medical professionals set to appear in the autumn of 2026.

The hearing was told that while the inquiry has no power to make findings of criminality, this does not limit its ability to “make findings from which criminality might be inferred”.