Former hospital boss Martin Yeates could finally face questions over his leadership of Stafford Hospital after it emerged he may be called to give evidence to an influential group of MPs.

Charlotte Atkins MP is the only Staffordshire MP on the House of Commons Health Select Committee which is conducting its own inquiry into the problems at the hospital. She is looking to get Mr Yeates called as a witness.

She is to raise the matter with committee chairman Sir Kevin Barron. The House of Commons has the power to compel people to appear before them, in a similar way to a court.

Over the weekend it was reported Mr Yeates, who became chief executive of Mid Staffordshire Foundation NHS Trust in September 2005, could get a tax free lump sum of £350,000 on top of his £80,000 six-month notice period payment and a £1 million pension pot.

It was said he could enjoy an annual pension payout of £65,000 after being in the NHS for 30 years. He was previously director of care services for Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust.

Ms Atkins, who represents the Staffordshire Moorlands, said it was “absolutely wrong” for Mr Yeates to receive his six months notice adding: “It has been made clear there should be no reward for failure.”