AN NHS boss from Okehampton has been suspended as the NHS trust she operates investigates concerns regarding her conduct.

Dr Paula Vasco-Knight, chief executive of the South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, has been accused of nepotism after appointing her daughter's boyfriend to an administrative role within the trust. A recent employment tribunal ruled that the trust hid the findings of an inquiry into the nepotism allegations, and misled other parties by contending Dr Vasco-Knight was exonerated.

The non executive directors of the trust have suspended Dr Vasco-Knight with immediate effect while a new investigation is carried out.

Speaking on behalf of the non-executive directors, David Allen said: 'The situation has moved on considerably in the last week. The non-executive directors therefore decided that suspension of the chief executive is now in the best interest of all parties whilst a formal process is underway to investigate concerns raised by the recent employment tribunal.

'The suspension is a neutral act and has no bearing on the outcome of the process, which will be conducted fairly, with integrity and as quickly as possible.

'We will share the outcome of the investigation with our staff, governors and the public as soon as we are able to after the process has concluded.'