The backlash against Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s imposition of new contracts for junior doctors refused to abate yesterday as hospital bosses rejected his claim they supported the move.

Twenty English NHS health trust bosses’ names were on a letter from chief negotiator David Dalton advising the government to do “whatever it deems necessary” to break the deadlock with medics.

And Mr Hunt claimed their support when announcing his decision to force through changes to pay and conditions in the Commons on Thursday.