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EXPOSED: Guess who used taxpayer funds to host the lavish launch of a think tank campaigning to let American corporations run NHS hospitals? Yes, Boris Johnson.
(Location: St Thomas’ Hospital - SOUND ON)
(Location: St Thomas’ Hospital - SOUND ON)
Last year The Times covered the launch of an IFT report pushing for US companies to run NHS hospitals. It was authored by Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/let-american-firms-run-hospitals-urges-free-trade-group-5rxxd9tb8
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/let-american-firms-run-hospitals-urges-free-trade-group-5rxxd9tb8
Boris Johnson hosted the IFT’s launch event. According to documents released under Freedom of Information legislation he gave the IFT free use of the Foreign Office at a cost to taxpayers of £6k
Theresa May’s Downing St team questioned why it was being hosted by the Foreign Office. They knew it was controversial and were "worried we could come into some criticism for that"
It’s clear Johnson agreed to host the launch at the request of anti-NHS campaigner Dan Hannan
Boris Johnson hosted the IFT's launch event at a cost of £6k to the taxpayer, against the advice of Sue Gray, the government's chief ethics watchdog
Johnson lavished praise on the IFT. According to the FOI documents Johnson said the IFT is on a “noble mission.” Page 4 here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/692729/FOI_0911-17_attachment_2.pdf
A partial recording of his speech at the launch includes Johnson describing the IFT as “this crucial, crucial Institute for Free Trade.” 4m35s here:
In the launch speech Johnson calls IFT President "my old friend Daniel Hannan". Hannan has a long history of anti-NHS statements
“I wouldn’t wish it [the NHS] on anyone”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/6028557/Tory-NHS-stance-at-risk-from-health-row-after-Daniel-Hannan-comments.html
"Why would any sane people cling to such a system?" https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tory-daniel-hannan-says-nhs-439270
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/6028557/Tory-NHS-stance-at-risk-from-health-row-after-Daniel-Hannan-comments.html
"Why would any sane people cling to such a system?" https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tory-daniel-hannan-says-nhs-439270
Daniel Hannan has campaigned against the NHS for years. Boris Johnson knew exactly what he stood for when he used taxpayers’ cash to launch his ‘think tank’. (ENDS)
