A surgeon who clashed with hospital bosses over waiting times for cancer patients has made a surprising defence of his former chief executive.

Peter Jones, who runs Maidstone Hospital's breast cancer unit, fell out with his managers, including the former chief Rose Gibb, after he publicly spoke out against radiotherapy waiting lists.

But in this week's Kent Messenger Friday Interview he said: "Rose Gibb had a very difficult job to do. I think everybody thought she was quite a difficult manager but she had a very hard job to do.”

Meanwhile, Mr Jones also revealed what it is like working so closely with his wife of 28 years, Sue. Together they run the breast cancer unit, carry out private surgery and run a charity.

He admitted it makes it easy to get a second expert opinion for patients.

“We do talk about work when we get home, it’s only natural, but it isn’t all work, of course,” he added.

Read more in this Friday's Kent Messenger