Ian Perkin, former FD of London's St Georges Hospital, was fired in July last year after 16 years. He is seeking reinstatement to his £100,000 a year job. An employment tribunal in February decided that the allegedly 'unfair dismissal' should go to a full hearing of eight days starting on 22 April.

Though the hearing has not yet taken place, St Georges' law firm Bevan Ashford last week contacted Perkin's lawyer to inform him that the hospital is in the process of recruiting a new FD. 'Why can't they wait?' said Ian Perkin. 'It is a fight to the end with these people. I'm prepared to go to the bitter end.'

The tribunal in February heard that Perkin was fired 'because of his frankness, openness, honesty and his rather annoying habit of telling the truth'.

St Georges hospital has denied it unfairly dismissed Perkin. This week it confirmed it is recruiting a replacement FD.

'The job was advertised, a short list has been drawn up, candidates have been written to and interviews will take place in due course,' said a spokesman for the hospital.

Perkin believes the hospital's move to appoint a replacement could make it' more difficult for the tribunal' to reinstate him.