Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on the Court of Appeal ruling on Lewisham Hospital, said:

“This decision is a humiliation for Jeremy Hunt and raises major questions about his judgement. Instead of graciously accepting the first Court ruling, he has squandered thousands of taxpayers’ money trying to protect his own pride and defend the indefensible. He is diminished by this ruling and has let down the NHS.

“The Court has done an important public service today in standing up to an arrogant and high-handed Government and a Secretary of State who is trying to close A&Es across London in the middle of the worst A&E crisis in living memory.

“Today, the Secretary of State must accept this decision, apologise unreservedly to the people of Lewisham and give an unequivocal commitment that their A&E will not now be down-graded.

“The message from the Court today couldn’t be clearer – Jeremy Hunt and the Conservatives simply can’t be trusted with the NHS.”