A case in which an Irishwoman was left "fighting for her life" after visiting a London abortion clinic was an "isolated incident", it was claimed last night.

The case, which occurred in 2006, was revealed at a Fitness to Practise Inquiry by the UK General Medical Council into gynaecologist Dr Phanuel Dartey, who was struck off for his treatment of five patients -- including the Irishwoman -- at the Marie Stopes International Clinic in Ealing.

He perforated the uterus of the unidentified woman and left parts of her foetus inside her. When she returned to Ireland she was rushed to hospital where she was in a critical condition for two months.

It is believed she eventually recovered.

Dr Dartey also used innovative laser surgery at his private Harley Street clinic to perform operations designed to enhance women's sex lives. However, he botched surgery on several patients.

The Ghanaian surgeon, who qualified in the former Soviet Union, had no valid medical indemnity insurance at the time.

Dr Dartey, who did not attend yesterday's hearing, made headlines two years ago with reports of his "G-Shot" jabs which were said to be able to enlarge the G-spot.

Gabrielle Malone, manager of Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices in Dublin confirmed last night that the Ealing clinic was among the recommended facilities on a list given to women seeking pregnancy counselling.

She said Marie Stopes clinics had an excellent record and the Dartey case was an isolated one.

Last year 498 Irishwomen had abortions at the Ealing centre. The number of Irishwomen having abortions in the UK and elsewhere has been falling for nine years, but 4,402 had terminations last year.

Thirty-one of them had abortions in the Netherlands, down from 134 the previous year.

Women with crisis pregnancies who receive free non-directive pregnancy counselling are given a list of approved abortion clinics in the UK.

A spokeswoman for Marie Stopes said there was a comprehensive list of requirements doctors must fulfil before being employed by the clinics.

"We have a rigorous governance and assurance framework in place,'' she added