A DEVELOPER behind plans to build a £20 million private hospital is challenging Jersey’s health chiefs to come up with evidence that he has asked for public money.

Richard Brocken wants Health Minister Stuart Syvret and others to come with proof to back up the claims which they have used to try to discredit his proposal.

He is also seeking a judicial review of the decision to refuse the hospital a licence under the Regulation of Undertakings Law.

Mr Brocken wants to convert the Stafford Hotel, in Kensington Place, into a private hospital.

He has repeatedly argued that the private facility would need to share facilities with the General Hospital to be viable, but says that such sharing would save both hospitals money.

Mr Brocken believes that Senator Syvret, Mike Pollard, the chief executive of Health, and Assistant Health Minister Celia Scott Warren are refusing to listen to the arguments in support of his scheme, which he says is in the public interest.