A surgeon involved in the Bristol heart babies scandal has refused to accept a public inquiry into the affair had been critical of his performance.

Janardan Dhasmana, 60, is claiming unfair dismissal following the crisis over the high death rate among children undergoing cardiac surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) between 1988 and 1995.

In June 1998 he was banned from operating on children for three years by the General Medical Council for his part in the affair.

Two other doctors involved, James Wisheart and John Roylance, were struck off.

(public inquiry)...was a document that did contain serious criticisms in regard to your performance

Adrian Lynch QC

Mr Dhasmana, who had expected to return to work with adult patients at the hospital, was dismissed later that year by United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT).

The UBHT said Mr Dhasmana had lost the "trust and confidence" of staff and patients.

Mr Dhasmana, who is also claiming breach of contract, told an employment tribunal in Bristol on Wednesday he had been "very disappointed" when the GMC found him guilty of serious professional misconduct.

But he said he did not appeal on the advice of his lawyers, because he thought he would be able to return to the BRI to operate on adult patients.

'Medical scandal'

In a statement to the tribunal he said he was "totally shocked" by the Trust's subsequent decision to dismiss him and "distressed" when a panel rejected his appeal against the decision.

Under cross-examination Mr Dhasmana refused to accept his colleagues had lost confidence in his ability.

Mr Dhasmana said in the opening statement of the GMC inquiry into the scandal that no reference was made to a "loss of trust or confidence".

Cross-examined by Adrian Lynch QC for the Trust, he refused to agree that the public inquiry "was a document that did contain serious criticisms in regard to your performance."

When pressed by Mr Lynch, Mr Dhasmana refused to agree, saying: "It needs further explanation Sir."

In a statement, Mr Dhasmana claimed that when he was informed he was to be dismissed by UBHT, the Trust's chief executive Hugh Ross told him he was a central figure in "the worst medical scandal of the century" and that he could not have expected any other decision.

The tribunal hearing continues.