Health minister Alistair Burt ridicules Michael Gove and Boris Johnson for Brexit NHS claim

Candid aside: Alistair Burt’s note to Labour MP Tulip Siddiq
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A health minister has hit out at Boris Johnson and Michael Gove for promising more money for the NHS after Brexit.

Alistair Burt poured scorned on their pledge in private handwritten comments at the bottom of a letter to London Labour MP Tulip Siddiq.

Ms Siddiq, the MP for Hampstead & Kilburn, had pressed him to provide funding for the charity SeeAbility to increase sight tests in special schools, where thousands of children are at greater risk of eye problems. In his formal reply, the minister added his personal comments at the bottom of a standard civil service letter: “I’ve seen SeeAbility at work as you know and strongly support this initiative.

“Of course, when we have the £350 million a week for the NHS, as some of my colleagues recently pledged, maybe this will be funded? I’m sure you will bring it to their attention!”

Ridiculed: Michael Gove and Boris Johnson

Mr Burt, who was a leading Remain supporter, this week announced he is retiring from the front bench.

Ms Siddiq said: “I was amazed when out of all the dull correspondence I have with ministers I found this heartfelt handwritten comment. I had a chuckle because it was quite witty.

"But I have to say I thought it was pretty gutsy of him to speak his mind. It shows how divided the Tory party is that he should have written something like this in a letter to a Labour MP, knowing it was bound to come out.”

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