Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman denied she had a "toxic" leadership style in an rebuttal to extraordinary claims by a former NHS boss.
Freeman said she "fundamentally disagrees" with ex Lothian chief Brian Houston's comments on the botched opening of a new sick kids hospital in Edinburgh.
The campus in Little France was supposed to open last year but was halted when problems were found with ventilation.
In an interview on Monday, Houston claimed she lied about NHS Lothian's approach and threatened to sack him if he didn't resign. Houston quit in January claiming “fundamental” differences with Freeman.
Responding to the claims in Holyrood on Tuesday, Freeman said: "My short response is that I fundamentally disagree with Mr Houston's reported assertions and accusations."
Houston had claimed a team from the health board acted quickly after the ventilation problem emerged. Options were put to the government without recommendation, he claimed.
But Freeman insisted he is wrong. She said a report last July set out four options with NHS Lothian recommending a "phased occupation" of the building.
"I did not consider that the best option, I instructed a halt, I think that is clear," Freeman said.
"I also think it is clear from my dealings with boards across the country and from my actions in this chamber that I am the least likely person to preside over any toxic atmosphere, and I refute that absolutely."
Houston said meetings had been "embarrassing" and claimed Freeman showed "contempt".
He claimed she replied: “If you don’t resign I will fire you.”
Freeman, in parliament, said NHS chiefs must accept accountability. "He chose to resign - I chose not to use my ministerial powers," she said.
The sick kids hospital is expected to open this autumn. Millions of pounds are being spent on bills to keep it ticking over while the crisis is resolved.
