Ambulance defends Hitler survey question

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has defended the mention of Adolf Hitler in a survey about "cool" leadership.

The Nazi dictator was one of ten people staff were asked to rank from 1-5 on a "coolness" scale as part of a £10,000 project to create a WMAS Leadership Development Programme.

Other leaders in the questionnaire included Richard Branson, Gordon Brown, General Patton, Winston Churchill, Martin Johnson and Fabio Capello. Unison confirmed that it had received some complaints from members about the question, BBC News reports.

A WMAS spokesman said: "In discussing different styles of leadership a survey, which is one small part of the project, sought to include an analysis of a dictatorial style.

"With hindsight, it would have been better to have used a different example. There was no intention to cause any offence."

A Unison spokesman added: "Some people have said it is inappropriate, and objected to it, and a lot of people have objected since seeing press reports.

"Although it was not the best thing to say, it has been blown out of proportion. It is part of a much larger project and we support the investment into the future."