Ananova:

The doctor being sued by George Harrison's family has been wrongly portrayed in the lawsuit and has always put his patients' needs first, according to his wife.

Dr Gilbert Lederman, who is accused of forcing the ailing former Beatle to autograph a guitar, was "hurt" by the lawsuit's depiction of him, Dr Josiane Lederman told the New York Post.

"How Gil is (being portrayed) is not how he is at all. He's a sweet, caring, dedicated and devoted doctor who has always had very close relationships with all his patients," she said.

Dr Lederman was treating Harrison for cancer. The ex-Beatle died in November 2001, about two weeks after the signing.

The Harrison family has said through its lawyer that it believes Dr Lederman orchestrated media coverage of the guitar signing to raise the value of an instrument he eventually wants to sell.

Dr Lederman has maintained that Harrison freely autographed the guitar, and has said he wants to donate the instrument to charity.

The New York state health department reprimanded the doctor for talking to the press about Harrison without his consent. Dr Lederman accepted censure, reprimand and a £3,000 fine.