The doctor at the centre of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ leadership crisis says boardroom moves to prevent her from becoming its next president were an “attempt to destroy the voice of the membership”.

Speaking publicly for the first time since being subject to last week’s no-confidence vote by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) board, Dr Sharmila Chandran said she had no intention of backing down.

“This is designed to destroy the voice of the membership. It is designed to destroy me,” she told The Australian.

“I am here as a leader. I represent the true membership of this college and I’m very proud of that. I represent every shade, every culture out there. I represent the struggles they have gone through.”