Mike Penning has welcomed today's decision that the legal challenge to closure of Hemels A&E can go ahead.

Welcoming the news that the judicial review can proceed, Mike Penning said: “I am delighted that the judicial review can go ahead. I fully support Mr Giddings in his challenge to the outrageous slashing of healthcare in Dacorum.

“The so-called public consultation was a complete sham and it should be clear to anyone with an ounce of common sense that a town the size of Hemel – and a town that the Government wants to grow by up to a third – needs an A&E department.

“Mr Giddings is right to be concerned that without an A&E his health is at risk. He is by no means alone as there are many people like him throughout Dacorum.”

Mike Penning went on to add:

“I also call on the County Council Health Scrutiny and Overview Committee to refer the case to the Secretary of State. If they do that, she then needs to refer the case to the Independent Review Panel.”

“We need to fight the Health Trusts crazy decision on every level” he added.