The former chairman of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) who was forced to resign is fighting to clear his name.
Martin Watts, who was appointed in 2009, resigned after being told by the chief executive of the NHS Trust Development Authority, (TDA) David Flory, CBE, that his position was no longer tenable.
Mr Watts has criticised the trust's handling of the complaints against him and hit out at the chief executive, Lezli Boswell.
He said that in his opinion Mrs Boswell showed a "lack of maturity and judgement". But this was denied by Mrs Bozwell who said the trust had followed due process.
His resignation followed investigations into two separate complaints that were upheld by the NHS Trust Development Authority and Strategic Health Authority.
In an emotional interview with the West Briton Mr Watts said he was shocked and angry both at the way in which the case was handled and for having to leave his post at such a critical time in the trust's bid for foundation status.
The former retailer said one accusation related to a training session with newly elected governors during which he touched a woman's arm.
Mr Watts added: "I am tactile. I do it with men and women, but I didn't regard this as sexual harassment. Under the dignity at work policy this was regarded as inappropriate and invading their space."
A further complaint, he said, related to his unfair and critical view of a staff member's work, which he judged to be of poor quality.
He added: "I won't accept poor work."
In an angry resignation letter to Mr Flory he claimed that the allegations of inappropriate behaviour were "untruthful" and that his "interpretation unsound".
Mr Watts, who is considering legal action, said he is taking his case to senior officials in Government and is seeking the support of local MPs Sarah Newton and Andrew George,who is a member of the health select committee.
Mrs Boswell said: "I enjoyed a good relationship with Martin. I am deeply sorry that he is making a personal attack. We have an obligation and duty of care to ensure complainants' concerns are investigated.
"Whoever you are and whatever status or role you have in public office there is an expectation that you follow NHS values. Nobody is beyond reproach."
She said with the backdrop of the Mid-Staffordshire enquiry and the RCHT's review of 1,500 patients treated by its obstetrician Rob Jones, it was important that it "learnt lessons" and listened to its staff and believed it had done so in this latest case.
