Harrison's Doctor Replaced

The doctor being sued by late rocker George Harrison's family has lost his job at a New York hospital.

DR GILBERT LEDERMAN has been replaced as head of the radiation oncology unit at STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. The replacement was previously planned as part of a new direction the department was taking, says hospital spokesman CHRISTIAN Preston.

He explains, "It's becoming more of a residency and a fellowship program as opposed to just being a care facility."

But other reports say hospital spokeswoman ARLENE RYBACK declined to comment on whether the removal was related to the lawsuit, which accuses Lederman of forcing the ailing Harrison to sign a guitar. Harrison died in November 2001 at age 57.

Lederman's attorney WAYNE ROTH says in a statement released that the replacement had "absolutely nothing to do with George Harrison or any issues concerning patient care".

The former beatle's family recently rejected an offer by the doctor to donate the guitar to charity.