A huge row has broken out in Surrey after Virgin Care was handed a £328,000 payout after taking legal action against six Surrey clinical commissioning groups, Surrey County Council and NHS England, reports the Get Surrey.

Virgin Care lost out on a lucrative contact to provide healthcare in the county and was able to sue over contractual issues, after missing out on the bid.

Local residents have launched a campaign to get Virgin care, owned by Richard Branson, “return the NHS’S money and never sue the NHS again.”

Steve Preddy, who launched the grassroots campaign, said: “”When the NHS is under severe financial pressure, it cannot afford to lose this money.

“Richard Branson, however, with an estimated personal wealth of over £3.5bn, can manage perfectly comfortably without it.

“This petition asks Virgin Care returns the money to the National Health Service, and asks Richard Branson to apologise and make a personal commitment Virgin Care will never again sue the NHS after losing out on a contract.”

Sign the Petition here