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Half of the NHS bosses who Jeremy Hunt used to justify imposing new contracts on junior doctors have denied backing the move.

Announcing the decision to force the new deal on doctors to the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Hunt used a letter signed by 20 NHS Chief Executives, which he said supported his plan.

But 10 of the signatories have since said they thought the concessions Mr Hunt had made in his final offer were "fair and reasonable", they disagree with forcing the contracts on medics.

Update - Susan Acott, of Dartford and Gravesham NHS released a statement opposing imposition of contracts this morning, taking the total to 11.

And one even claims the letter he was asked to support was different to the one presented by the Health Secretary.

The letter, sent to Mr Hunt by Sir David Dalton, head of Salford Royal NHS Trust, said the recommendation to "make sure that a new contract is in place" was supported by the named Chief Execs.

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Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hunt said: "He (Sir David) has asked me to end the uncertainty for the service by proceeding with the introduction of a new contract that he and his colleagues consider both safer for patients and fair and reasonable for junior doctors. I have therefore today decided to do that."

Read more:Labour accuse Jeremy Hunt of 'misleading' MPs over junior doctors letter

The Health Service Journal contacted all the CEOs involved to check they agreed with the letter.

David Sloman, named on the letter, released a statement blasting the Health Secretary's decision.

He wrote: "I do believe the contract offered is reasonable, however I do not support contract imposition.

"My view is that the best way to reach resolution is negotiation."

(Image: GETTY)

And Claire Murdoch, of Central and North West London NHS Trust, said the letter did not reflect the question she was asked.

She said: "I was very unhappy to see my name added to an endorsement of the final offer for NHS Employers. As whether it was "fair and reasonable" was exactly what I'd asked."

She has asked for her name to be removed from the list, and says NHS Employers have done so.

Andrew Foster, of Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS, said: "The letter we supported was a different one to that published today."

Leicestershire's Peter Miller says he was never asked if he supported imposition.

He said: "I have not been asked to support an imposition, nor do I. As a doctor it saddens me that we have got to this position."

Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive of NHS Employers, said: "As Sir David Dalton has made clear, the statement that the chief executives agreed to was confirming that the best and final position was considered fair and reasonable, and that they believed the NHS needed certainty and not continuation of the stalemate.

“There are a variety of opinions about the government's decision to impose this contract, and the BMA must take responsibility for their failure to engage with the substantial compromise position offered to them on Tuesday. Our priority now is to work with trusts to ensure that they have the support they need to effectively introduce this new better contract."

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Here's the full list of NHS Execs who have denied supporting Jeremy Hunt.

1. Miles Scott, CEO St George's Trust

"To be clear, I supported the contract offer but not imposition."

2. Andrew Foster, CEO Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

"I have not supported contract imposition. I have supported the view that the offer made is reasonable.

"The letter we supported was a different one to that published today."

3. David Sloman, CEO Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

"I am profoundly disappointed that the national negotiations have failed to reach an agreement with the BMA on a new contract for doctors in training.

I have the upmost respect for junior doctors, know how hard they work to deliver patient care and want to enjoy working with them for many years to come.

I do believe that the contract offered is reasonable however I do not support contract imposition.

My view is that the best way to reach resolution is negotiation."

4. Prof Dr Stephen Dunn, CEO West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

"I never said impose the contract. I do support David's offer"

5. David Loughton, CEO Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

6. Joe Harrison, CEO Milton Keynes NHS Foundation Trust

7. Sir Andrew Cash, CEO Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

"I support the improved offer made this week as fair and reasonable, but I do not support imposition"

8. Claire Murdoch, CEO Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

"I was very unhappy to see my name added to an endorsement of the final offer for NHS Employers. As whether it was "fair and reasonable" was exactly what I'd asked.

"The Guardian subsequently have me as supporting the imposition. I have told NHS Employers to remove my name and they have done so."

9. Peter Homa, CEO Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

10. Peter Miller, CEO Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

"I support the current offer as safe, reasonable and fair, protecting both junior doctors and patients. I have not been asked to support an imposition, nor do I. As a doctor it saddens me that we have got to this position. We need to work together to build the morale of all staff in the NHS."

11. Susan Acott, chief executive of Dartford and Gravesham Trust

"No I don't agree with imposition - I expect all of us got involved to try and get a negotiated settlement and that was a hope - although David's intervention was so far down the track it was a hope rather than an expectation.

"We all supported the fact that there was an improved offer and better than what was at Christmas but we did not call for imposition."