The firm rejection came after the BBC reported that during a meeting in 2024 when Sir Jim was chief executive of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust he had recommended Karen Booth being able to resume her surgical career.

An NHSE spokesperson said: ‘This claim is categorically untrue. At the meeting in question in 2024, Jim set out how the trust was supporting its employee – following the findings of independent reviews and through an ongoing investigation by the GMC – and the steps required before they could practice independently again.

‘He did not say he was in support of the employee resuming their surgical career – that is a matter for the GMC's investigation – and the employee did not return to operating during Jim's tenure and is still not operating in the meantime.'

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the failings.

The trust said a referral had been made to the GMC, adding the consultant was at the first stage of a structured return to work at a different hospital trust.