CQC chief executive quits amid investigation into maternity services in Leeds
Sir Julian Hartley previously had a top job at the troubled Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
The chief executive of England's hospital regulator has stepped down following the announcement of an independent inquiry into maternity care at the NHS trust he led for a decade.
Sir Julian Hartley raised concerns that his position at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) "may undermine trust and confidence" in the regulator.
He was previously chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for 10 years until 2023.
Earlier this week, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an inquiry into the trust, after a BBC investigation revealed the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers over the past five years may have been prevented.
Following the announcement, the parents said they felt gaslit, dismissed and even blamed for what went wrong.
Sir Julian said it was an "incredibly difficult decision", but feels his current post "has become incompatible with the important conversations happening about care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust", which includes the time he was chief executive there.
He said: "I am so sorry for the fact that some families suffered harm and loss during this time.
"I will be giving whatever support I can to the inquiry into maternity services at Leeds, so families get the transparency and answers that they need and deserve - and I want to avoid my connection with the trust impacting on CQC's work to rebuild people's confidence in the regulator."
He added that he is "hugely proud" of his work at the CQC since he joined at the end of last year.
"I leave grateful for the part I was able to play and confident that the better approach being built will be owned, and informed, by colleagues, providers and stakeholders with a shared vision."
Professor Sir Mike Richards, chair of the CQC, said: "While Sir Julian's departure will be a huge loss to CQC, I understand his concerns that his previous role at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust may undermine trust and confidence in CQC's regulation.
"I am grateful to him for making this unselfish decision in recognition of the need for the regulator to be visibly held to the highest standards."
Recruitment for Sir Julian's successor will begin shortly.