Over 100 London Ambulance staff are risking disciplinary action after refusing to give consent to retrospective criminal record checks.

Ambulance service chiefs want a background check on every employee, regardless of how long they have served.

1,700 to check

Since February all new workers have to have a records check. But 1,700 staff and those moving within the organisation, even if they have worked for the service for years, have to submit themselves to scrutiny.

The 136 front line workers have until end of play today to consent or they may face disciplinary procedures.