Leading academics say they are shocked by the sudden removal of the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), public health expert Professor Stephen Leeder.

He was sacked this week after he raised concerns about plans to outsource production of the MJA to global publishing company Elsevier.

The company has been involved in several scandals including publishing a "fake" journal paid for by a drug company.

Diabetes expert Professor Paul Zimmet from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said Professor Leeder is one of Australia's most eminent public health experts.

"I am shocked by his removal in this way," he said.

For more details, go to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-01/academic-outrage-as-leading-health-journal-editor-sacked/6435850