Lord Prior to resign the Whip for new NHS Chair role

In its Tenth Report of Session 2017-19, Appointment of Chair of NHS England, the Committee recommended that Lord (David) Prior, the Government’s preferred candidate for the role of Chair of NHS England, resign the Conservative Whip for the duration of his appointment.

Lord Prior has now written to the Chair confirming that he will resign the Conservative Whip and become a cross-bencher.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee said:

"I am delighted that Lord Prior has decided to act on the Committee's recommendation and resign the Conservative whip in the House of Lords following his appointment as Chair of NHS England. Lord Prior's appearance before us showed that he has the professional competence and personal independence required of this post. The Committee considers it very important this post is seen to be free from any party political whip. We wish him well for his appointment." 

The correspondence is now published on the Committee’s website.

A transcript of the pre-appointment hearing can also be found on the Committee’s website.