Superbug health boss is suing NHS trust

An NHS boss behind Britain's deadliest superbug outbreak confirmed today she is suing her employer.

Rose Gibb left Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust by mutual agreement after a damning report revealed appalling hygiene standards directly contributed to 90 deaths from Clostridium difficile.

In February her union, Managers in Partnership, said she was set to reject a pay-off of up to £75,000 and fight for more money following her departure.

The trust confirmed at the time that she would receive half her annual salary as a pay-off, which it said had been between £145,000 and £150,000.

The move was seen as a blow to Health Secretary Alan Johnson, who ordered the trust to withhold Ms Gibb's severance payment last year while seeking legal advice.

Today it emerged that papers lodged at the High Court show she has started legal action to recover money said to have been settled in a "compromise agreement" .

Ms Gibb did not disclose the amount she hopes to recover but denied that she is aiming to claim £250,000. She said: "I have launched legal proceedings and have lodged papers in the High Court. They are in line with the compromise agreement. I don't recognise the figures that you quote."

Ms Gibb left her job last October after the Healthcare Commission report revealed how appalling hygiene standards led to the C.diff outbreak. It said C.diff contributed to a total of 345 deaths and more than 1,100 infections over two years.