The boss of a scandal-hit ambulance trust who took a leave of absence earlier this year has left the trust.

In a statement published today, South East Coast Ambulance Service said chief executive Paul Sutton had now left to “pursue other interests.”

Mr Sutton took a leave of absence in March this year after a damning report, carried out by consultants Deloitte, found fundamental failings into a controversial project which led to delayed response times.

Secamb chairman Tony Thorne has already resigned and NHS regulator Monitor has appointed Sir Peter Dixon as interim chairman.

The annual accounts for the trust in 2014/15 show Mr Sutton received a salary of £160,000 to £165,000, plus £4,900 in other benefits and more than £90,000 in pension-related benefits.

His total package for the year was worth £255,000 to £260,000.

Secamb said today: “The trust would like to thank Paul for his contribution to the developments and achievements of the trust over the past 10 years.

“The process for finding a permanent replacement will start immediately and will be subject to further announcements as appropriate.

“In the interim period, Geraint Davies will continue as acting chief executive.”

Deloitte’s report said the pilot was “high risk” and did not have approval from board members, the NHS 111 helpline or commissioners.

There was also a strong suggestion of an "intentional effort by members of the executive team" to present the scheme in a positive light despite its governance failings and risks.

Up to 20,000 patients had ambulances delayed during the pilot, which ran between December 2014 and January 2015.

Executives ran the project - without approval - to delay sending ambulances until advisers had time to assess some calls coming through the 111 telephone system.

National rules say 75 per cent of Category A Red 2 calls should have an emergency response at the scene within eight minutes.

These calls are for conditions regarded as serious, such as strokes or fits.

Under the scheme, the ambulance trust gave itself up to 10 extra minutes to reassess what type of advice or treatment patients needed, and whether an ambulance was really necessary.

But patients were kept in the dark about the project, as were 111 call handlers and the trust's board.

The report said Mr Sutton made the ultimate decision to proceed with the pilot and played a critical leadership role throughout.

It was Mr Sutton who drove forward the idea of Red 2 calls being put through the pilot despite objections raised by senior managers.

A second report into the impact the pilot had on patients is expected this summer.

Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy said: "The public rightly expects that those in senior leadership positions show integrity and honesty at all times, and are held accountable for their actions.

"Any decision that downgrades urgent category ambulance calls in order to massage performance targets is deplorable, and undermines the confidence that the public places in NHS leaders.

"This scheme was dangerous and the secretive decision to implement it demonstrates exceptionally poor decision-making. It is right that the leaders of Secamb are held responsible for their actions. The trust should apologise to all those affected and the NHS should ensure this never occurs again at any trust."