A leading psychiatrist at Roehampton's famous Priory Hospital has been suspended from work after an "infatuated" patient left him £1.5 million in her will.

Dr Peter Rowan was left the whopping sum after Patricia May, 66, allegedly became infatuated with him during treatment for her eating disorders, Westminster Coroners' Court heard earlier this month.

Last Tuesday, coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded an open verdict for Miss May, who died in April 2003 after fracturing her rib in a fall at her Mayfair home.

Miss May became dependent on sleeping pills after Dr Rowan prescribed three different types of medication.

Dr Knapman said: "The unfortunate element has been the blurring of the distinction between a platonic friendship and a doctor-patient relationship.

"It is the more unfortunate when the prescribing of quite powerful drugs was involved, especially as record-keeping seems inadequate and the GP was not informed."

The inquest has sparked a Priory Hospital investigation into whether Dr Rowan breached professional standards.

He remains suspended until the investigation is concluded.

The inquest heard how Miss May - a non-Priory patient - gave Dr Rowan gifts of £50,000 and £100,000.

Priory Group healthcare services director Professor Chris Thompson said: "Priory has very clear standards regarding professional practice and therefore Dr Peter Rowan's practising privileges have been suspended while we conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation of all aspects of this matter.

"Once we have concluded our investigation we will take the appropriate action.

"Notwithstanding the above, Dr Rowan has had a long and distinguished medical career treating many seriously ill patients."

Dr Rowan claimed innocence in his dealings with Miss May.

He told the inquest: "Often the target of infatuation can be the last person to know but there was no indication to make me feel she was infatuated with me."

He also stressed to the court her death was not his fault.

He said: "It is highly unlikely the drugs I prescribed contributed to her death and she wouldn't have developed a dependency on them as it was already clear she wouldn't live a long number of years."