Labour leadership challenger Owen Smith says he has 'never advocated privatisation of the NHS'

The Labour MP is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership

Owen Smith (PA Images)

Owen Smith has denied advocating privatisation of the NHS, arguing that claims he did are a “gross exaggeration”.

The Labour MP, who is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for his party’s leadership, previously worked as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

During his time there he wrote a press release advocating increased “choice” in the National Health Service – a term generally interpreted as arguing for more private provision in the service.

But on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Mr Smith denied he had advocated privatisation.

“That’s clearly not true, and it is a gross exaggeration of one comment in a press release about a report commissioned by Pfizer while I worked there, at a period when the last Labour government was using the word choice to do hip, and knee, and cataract operations,” he said.

“I’ve never advocated privatisation of the NHS, it’s been one of Labour’s proudest achievements.”

He said he had not commissioned the report he had written a press release on, and that he now believed the last Labour government had made a “mistake” in introducing choice into the NHS.

“My position is what it’s always been that I believe 100 per cent in a publicly owned NHS free at the point of use,” he said.

“There are obviously already many services in the NHS provided by private providers, there are a hell of a lot more of them now because of the way the current Tory government has, I think, twisted the words of the last Labour government.”

Mr Smith’s denial comes as he this morning receives the backing for former Labour leader Ed Miliband. Mr Miliband called for supporters to register to vote in the leadership election.

“Labour isn't fated to be a disunited party arguing with each other. Turning inwards not outwards,” he said in a statement.

“We can be a strong party, putting forward progressive ideas, challenging the Tories, and being in a position to win an election, reaching out to voters across the country, not talking to ourselves.”

Mr Smith now remains the sole challenger to Mr Corbyn after Angela Eagle dropped out of the internal party race on Tuesday.