In the opposition day debate yesterday on London Hospitals – the Minister Mike O’Brien said this:

‘I do not see any justification for closure of the A and E at this time, and I would want to hear the case for closing it during the next Parliament. I have seen no such case.’

Well neither have we! There is no case. There is no clinically led case. There is no evidence. However – not sure that stops the juggernaut of this travesty of a process.

Lynne Featherstone: I welcome the Minister’s remarks because, as he knows, the socio-demographic circumstances around Whittington hospital make the area one of the most deprived in London. My concern is that, of the seven current options, four suggest closing the accident and emergency department. That seems to be a huge waste of resource and energy when the money is needed in front-line services. Will he talk to north central London officials now and stop the process?