A CONTROVERSIAL former ambulance boss from Appleton Thorn has remained tight-lipped over details of his severance deal.

David Todhunter, ofAshberry Drive, was heavily criticised for his part in the 1999 death of a Warrington mother-of-three when her treatment was put on hold amid a dispute over the provision of an air ambulance.

The former chief executive of Mersey Regional Ambulance Service (MRAS) resigned from his position in May 2001, but refused to allow details of his remuneration package to be used in the publication of the services' accounts for 2001/02.

The accounts, published last week, detail the salaries of the executive and non-executive directors of the service, which covers ambulance provision in Warrington, but do not include those of Mr Todhunter.

A spokesman for MRAS said that the new laws governing the preparation of accounts ask for salary details, but that Mr Todhunter was well within his rights to not release the figures due to data protection laws.

Julie Donaldson, from Whittle Hall, died three years ago following a wrangle over an air ambulance.

She urgently needed a liver transplant but there was a delay in arranging air transport to take her from Warrington to Leeds.

A report published in April 2001 slammed the actions of Mr Todhunter, stating that he had rejected a waiting North West Aero Medical Services air ambulance because of what appeared to be 'deep antipathy' between him and a key member of staff at the company.

Mr Todhunter then resigned from his position around a month later after being on sick leave.