Two senior recruiters at Healthcare Locums Plc (HLO:LSE), the beleaguered specialist health and social care staffing firm which suspended trading in its shares in January amid major financial irregularities, have been suspended pending investigations into serious misconduct allegations that will fuel criticism of the use of profit-driven private contractors by the National Health Service (NHS), the Evening Standard newspaper reports.

Christian Mansfield-Osborne, is allegedly being investigated for 'irregular invoicing' in an affair which has involved the company reimbursing one NHS trust in Birmingham 200,000 Pounds.

Scott Whitehead, is said to be probed over allegations that ancillary staff were sent out to work for the NHS without having undergone the required checking procedures.

The investigations are at their early stages and could result in the pair being cleared and reinstated.

A spokesman for HCL commented to the Evening Standard "as part of its commitment to maintaining high standards, the new HCL board recently conducted an internal review of its working practices and as a result identified that a small number of employees were not observing best practice. While not on a large scale, the company takes these matters very seriously. It has taken action to remedy these practices."