Jeremy Corbyn blasts Jeremy Hunt's 'provocative and damaging' move to impose contract on junior doctors

Doctors have been on strike over the changes, which they say will put patients at risk

A kind portrait: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Getty Images)

Jeremy Corbyn has released a scathing response to news that Jeremy Hunt will impose a contract on junior doctors, despite strikes and widespread dissent.

The Labour leader branded the move "provocative and damaging" and said that rather than helping to resolve the difficult dispute, his actions would "only inflame it".

The impassioned Facebook post read: "Jeremy Hunt's decision to impose a contract on junior doctors is provocative and damaging. Rather than helping to resolve this difficult dispute, his action will only inflame it.

"The BMA has continued to table proposals to settle the dispute. The fact that the Health Secretary is now simply trying to impose his will rather than negotiate, demonstrates a lack of confidence in his own arguments.

"We need to recognise the huge contribution junior doctors make and the years of training they go through to look after us. These are people dedicated to our health and our NHS.

I've just released this statement in response to Jeremy Hunt’s announcement that he will impose a contract on junior...

Posted by Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday, 11 February 2016

"Patients, doctors, the BMA and the public want an agreed settlement. What is now keeping this dispute going are the actions of the Secretary of State himself.

"More strikes now look likely. If that happens, it will be clear that the blame lies with the government, not the doctors.

"Even at this late stage, I appeal to Jeremy Hunt to go back and negotiate with the BMA.

"This government is reckless with our NHS and is now prepared to put patient care at risk in the service of its self-defeating austerity programme."