Backing for beleaguered Health Secretary from PM

Downing Street has dismissed suggestions that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley should be sacked and insisted ministers were “fully behind” his reforms for the NHS south of the Border.

After Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes called for Mr Lansley to “move on” in the second half of the parliament, Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman said: “That’s not an issue for Simon Hughes.”

Mr Cameron is to launch a new offensive to sell the highly contentious Health and Social Care Bill to the public in the coming weeks.

“The Government is fully behind the Health Bill. The Prime Minister has spent a lot of time on this issue over the past year and I would expect him to continue to do so,” the spokesman added.

“He is very committed to reforming and modernising the health service.”

Lib Dem deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said that Mr Lansley, as “the architect” of the Bill, must “see it through”.