BARRY'S controversial vet Maurice John Kirk blasted "bent lawyers" after losing his appeal against professional disqualification last Monday.

He threatened the opposing legal team as he stormed out of the Privy Council.

Kirk, 56, who practised from Barry Veterinary Hospital in Tynewydd Road, was struck off on May 29, 2002, following a disciplinary hearing before the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons investigating a string of drink related violent convictions over a number of years.

The law lords heard of many incidents involving Kirk of The Marlpits, St Donat's, Llantwit Major.

These included: In 1995 Kirk was jailed for three months by Vale of Glamorgan magistrates for assaulting the 17-year-old daughter of one of the vet's tenants he claimed damaged residential property opposite the surgery.

This was reduced to a £500 fine plus £350 compensation on appeal.

In 1997 at Bristol Magistrates Court, Kirk was fined £600 for assaulting Christopher Ebbs at the Plume and Feathers pub, Bristol, and £500 for threatening behaviour.

Kirk was fined £500 at Cardiff Crown Court for public health offences brought after black bin bags stuffed with needles, syringes, swabs, clinical waste, bloodstained cotton wool, animal fur and a poster advertising his Animal Health Centre, were dumped near public toilets in Llantwit Major in the summer of 1995.

The only animal-related incident the disciplinary committee found proved in May 2002 was Kirk being "irrational and intimidating" to police and public who called him to Cold Knap Beach, Cardiff, where a distressed dog was discovered.

Other incidents include Kirk pretending to be asleep in his car when stopped by police, forcing officers to break in, plus other traffic offences.

Lord Hoffmann in his judgement, said Mr Kirk's problem is with people. He combines independence of spirit and a passion for justice with a flaming temper and complete insensitivity to the feeling of others.

After the announcement Kirk told the Central London hearing: "No one will investigate my claims of criminal negligence by bent lawyers driven by avarice."

Lord Hoffmann told him to calm down and make any complaints in writing, before Kirk stormed out, telling the Royal College's legal team on the staircase: "Just give me five days. I'll have your home addresses, the lot."