The Keep the Horton General campaign has ‘categorically’ denied harassing staff at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust or wielding ‘Baby Killers’ banners.

Earlier in November trust clinical services director Paul Brennan said he had seen ‘totally inappropriate’ posters at protests over NHS cuts.

An investigation by KTHG has now confirmed the banner was carried by an outside individual at a mass protest in London.

In a statement the group said: “Keep the Horton General categorically deny any involvement whatsoever in staff harassment. 

"We are champions of all frontline staff across the OUHFT hospitals. To suggest otherwise is completely ridiculous.

"We would like, once and for all, to put an end to the accusations (made by one senior Trust member) that our campaign group have been seen wielding posters saying ‘baby killers’. 

"We would direct that individual to images taken outside the Dept of Health on the day when members of KTHG handed in the petition of 20,000 signatures at Downing Street. 

"Ten protest groups came together with the same message for Mr Hunt. No NHS cuts! Members of another group were carrying the ‘baby killer’ posters. One of our campaigners has confirmed that she was handed a poster and felt so strongly about it, put it on the ground - face down. 

"So instead of trying to besmirch our campaign with tawdry accusations, we feel an apology and total retraction are in order. We look forward to receiving both."