Health chief peer ‘was at talks on NHS privatisation’

THE new Tory chairman of the NHS attended a conference about privatising the health service.

The event was organised by consultants McKinsey, which tried to block details of it being made public.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced David Prior, 63, will head NHS England from November.

But the Mirror has reported that in 2013 he was at a seminar in Windsor, Berks, where topics discussed included “private health insurance growth opportunities”.

QUESTIONS

McKinsey earns millions a year supplying services to the NHS and advising private healthcare clients.

Justin Madders, Shadow Health Minister, said: “Patients and families will have real questions about the independence of the NHS under this Government when key positions are repeatedly being filled by Tory party grandees.

“The Secretary of State must publish the justification behind rejecting other candidates without a link to the Conservative Party.”

Lord Prior recently had an affair with former Olympic show jumper Lizzie Purbrick, 63, who daubed his £1million London flat in pig’s blood after they split. She got a community order after admitting criminal damage.