NHS chief 'stopped from speaking on patient safety'

A health service manager claims he was gagged by the NHS from speaking out about his dismissal and his concerns over patient safety.

Gary Walker said he had no choice but to sign an agreement linked to a confidentiality clause in April 2011.

He said it was a case of either signing the so-called "super gag" agreement or losing his house.

Nearly two years on, Mr Walker is the first former NHS employee to break a gag.

He has decided to speak out about his concerns over patient safety and the circumstances leading to his sacking from the NHS.

It comes a week after Robert Francis QC, who led the public inquiry into the Stafford hospital scandal, demanded that such agreements should be "banned".

Branwen Jeffreys reports.