On Monday, the Government's agreement with the British Medical Association (BMA) on a new contract was rejected by junior doctors by 58 to 42 per cent, on a turnout of 68 per cent. The result forced the immediate resignation of Johann Malawana, chairman of the Junior Doctors’ Committee (JDC), who had recommended the deal. He called on the Department of Health to respect the result of the vote, but it is understood that the Government plans to press ahead and impose the new contract. The junior doctors said they were prepared to embark on further strike action, amid growing divisions within the union.