Tuesday 13 March 2012

Leech rebels on NHS vote over Government risk register secrecy


Chorlton MP John Leech has today voted in favour of a backbench Lib Dem rebel amendment, following the decision of the Secretary of State for Health not to publish the risk register in contravention of the tribunal judgement that it should be released.

John joined other backbench Lib Dems voting for the amendment put forward by five Lib Dem MPs: Andrew George, John Pugh, Adrian Sanders, Greg Mulholland and David Ward.

John Leech said, "I voted with my Lib Dem backbench colleagues because I have consistently called for the Government to release the risk register. By failing to release it after the tribunal decision, there is little wonder that concerns remain over the Health Bill. The risk register needs to be published immediately so that the Government can reassure the public and health professionals. The vote this evening was never going to change the Bill, but I wanted to send a clear message to the Secretary of State that it is not acceptable to keep the risk register a secret after the tribunal decision."

The amendment read as follows: "leave out from 'Bill;' to end and add 'declines to support the Bill in its current form; and calls for an urgent summit of the Royal Colleges, professional bodies, patients' organisations and the Government to plan health reforms based on the Coalition Agreement."

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