Exclusive: NHS director disciplined after website attack on 'lazy' staff

David Forster, policy and strategy director at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, made the comments in an online discussion.

He said: "Don't be ashamed to take any NHS employment given your talent. As you know, the NHS has no shame in employing too many who are lazy, unproductive, obstinate, militant, aggressive at every turn and who couldn't secure a job anywhere outside the bloated public sector where mediocrity is too often shielded by weak and unprincipled HR policies."

The trust issued a statement distancing itself from the comments and said the matter had been dealt with internally.

It said: "These are the personal opinions of an individual and in no way reflect the sentiment of the organisation.

"We hold our dedicated and professional staff in extremely high regard and work alongside them, in partnership with our trade unions, to provide a high quality ambulance service to the people of Yorkshire.

"Yorkshire Ambulance Service has dealt with this matter under normal trust procedures and would now like to draw a line under this for all concerned."

Mr Forster declined to comment but the Tory MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, said: "People must be allowed their own private opinions. If those who work in tough public sector assignments can't let off steam even with friends then I think we are going too far in invading people's private rights."