Ryall forced me off DHB - ex-union head

Former union boss Ken Douglas says Health Minister Tony Ryall forced him to resign from his health board position.

Appointed deputy chairman of Capital and Coast District Health Board in 2007 Mr Douglas only resigned because: "The minister asked for it," he told the Dominion Post.

Mr Douglas said he had less than a year of his term left.

"I made that quite clear to the ministry person that ... I would have liked to have seen the term out."

But he was not taking the decision personally.

"I fully understand and accept the process of political appointments."

His resignation was effective from October 23, but he has not yet been replaced.

Mr Ryall would not comment.

Following the election several Labour appointees to boards resigned or were asked to, including then Labour party president Mike Williams who was reportedly reluctant to quit his state board appointments.

- NZPA