MP issues challenge to Health Secretary

NEW Health Secretary Sajid Javid must explain how he plans to bring down waiting lists, his Labour shadow has said.

Jon Ashworth, the MP for Leicester South, said: “Sajid Javid failed to reverse the previous eight years of social care cuts or deliver the investment our NHS needed in his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“He now needs to explain how he will bring down sky-high waiting lists, ensure people get the cancer care they need, get young people vital mental health support and crucially fix social care, which has suffered swingeing cuts under the Conservatives.”

Matt Hancock quit as Health Secretary on Saturday after video footage emerged of him kissing an aide in his ministerial office, in a breach of coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Javid said: “Honoured to have been asked to serve as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at this critical time.

“I look forward to contributing to our fight against the pandemic, and serving my country from the Cabinet once again.”

The Prime Minister had stood by Mr Hancock, but this caused problems when Conservative MPs began to break ranks to call for him to go.

Veteran Tory Sir Christopher Chope said his constituents were “seething” over the events which led to Mr Hancock’s resignation.

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker said: “In my view people in high public office and great positions of responsibility should act with the appropriate morals and ethics that come with that role.”

North West Leicestershire Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen told Sky News it had been an issue on the doorstep while campaigning for the party ahead of the by-election in Batley and Spen next week prompted by the resignation of Labour’s Tracy Brabin after she was elected Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “Matt Hancock is right to resign. But Boris Johnson should have sacked him.”