An MP who is also an A&E doctor was left angry after the Health Secretary commented on her "tone" when she criticised the Government's coronavirus testing strategy.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan was told by Matt Hancock to “take a leaf out of the shadow secretary of state’s book in terms of tone”.
Dr Allin-Khan described how “frontline workers like me have had to watch families break into pieces as we deliver the very worst of news to them”.
During health and social care questions in the House of Commons, the MP claimed the government’s strategy on testing had been “non-existent”, and suggesting that the “testing figures are now being manipulated” - reports Mirror Online.
She added: “Does the Secretary of State commit to a minimum of 100,000 tests each day going forward? And does the Secretary of State acknowledge that many frontline workers feel that the government’s lack of testing has cost lives?”
"The testing strategy has been non-existent. Community testing was scrapped, mass testing was slow to roll out, and testing figures are now being manipulated.
"Does the Secretary of State commit to a minimum of 100,000 tests each day going forward?
"And does the Secretary of State acknowledge that many frontline workers feel that the Government's lack of testing has cost lives and is responsible for many families being unnecessarily torn apart in grief?"
Mr Hancock replied: "I welcome the honourable lady to her post as part of the shadow health team.
"I think she might do well to take a leaf out of the shadow secretary of state's book in terms of tone.
"I'm afraid what she said is not true. There's been a rapid acceleration in testing over the last few months, including getting to 100,000 tests a day."
Earlier, Mr Hancock said that testing of asymptomatic NHS staff will be rolled out further across the country.
Dr Allin-Khan later tweeted a video of their exchange with the caption: "I will respectfully challenge the Government - I want our country to succeed. However, I will not 'watch my tone' when dozens of NHS and care staff are dying unnecessarily."
Many on social media seemed as surprised as she was by the Secretary of State's comments.
Fellow Labour shadow minister Jess Phillips tweeted: "Her tone was fine, respectful, and might I dare say her view is more knowledgeable about the front line than the Health Secretary. Can't imagine why he doesn't like her "tone". (obviously I can well imagine)."
Joshua commented: "Not a great look from @MattHancock who berated frontline A&E Doctor @DrRosena for asking a question. Watched a few times and can’t understand his tone jibe."
The A&E doctor, who has been doing shifts at St George's Hospital in her Tooting constituency, has criticized the lack of life-saving PPE for her colleagues on the frontline from the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
