A top hospitals official has quit her job after being cleared of wrongdoing following a year-long probe.

Delia Basden — who was relieved of her duties as chief financial officer at the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) last February — was found to have “acted properly, appropriately and with all professional integrity” by auditors.

Ms Basden last night declined to comment on whether she would take legal action against BHB, where she worked for 14 years or talk about her year-long ordeal.

She said: “At this point, I would just prefer not to give any comment.”

But BHB chairman Jonathan Brewin said: “Unfortunately, the detailed nature of the review and investigations have taken over one year.

“After this length of time away from BHB, Ms Basden does not feel able to return to her position as CFO with the BHB.

“The BHB regrets that this is so, but sympathises with Ms Basden’s feelings in this protracted matter.”

A BHB spokeswoman confirmed that Ms Basden had been paid for more than a year while off work.

But — despite the BHB being funded by public money — she refused to say how much or if she had been given extra compensation.

The spokeswoman said: “Ms Basden was on paid administrative leave.

“Individual salaries are confidential, as are the terms and conditions of Ms Basden’s resignation.”

Mr Brewin added that Ms Basden’s resignation will officially take effect at the start of next month.

And he said: “The BHB wishes Ms Basden all the best in the future and thanks her for nearly fourteen years of dedicated service to the BHB.”

After Ms Basden was put on “administrative leave” her job was taken over by caretaker chief financial officer David Thompson.

Mr Brewin said: “He will continue in this position while the board continues the best long-term solution for the post to meet the needs of BHB and ensure it continues on the path towards financial sustainability.”

Ms Basden was removed from her post after the Auditor General and the Department of Internal Audit launched an investigation.

Auditor General Heather Matthews asked for the probe as a result of concerns raised during a financial audit.

She said a major review was needed to “obtain reasonable assurance that its management control systems are adequate and operating efficiently.”