Cameron defends NHS reform chief

The Prime Minister backed his colleague after an opinion poll showing a majority of voters were in favour of ditching the legislation altogether.

Asked if he would sack the architect of the controversial reforms at a Downing Street Press conference, Mr Cameron replied: “I think Andrew Lansley is doing a very good job.

“I have worked with him for many, many years and I think he understands the health service better than almost anyone else in Parliament and does a very good job and he has my support.”

Mr Cameron said reform “always involves argument” but he was confident the Government could win the arguments and show that the changes would improve the NHS.