'Stop using human shields'

The increasingly bitter political battle over the NHS stepped up another gear today as Health Secretary John Reid told the Conservatives stop hiding behind "human shields"

Dr Reid challenged Tory Leader Michael Howard to stand up and defend his party's proposal to subsidise patients willing to pay for up to half their operations to have them carried out in the private sector.

Joined by Prime Minister Tony Blair to launch Labour's pre-election campaign health document, the Health Secretary reignited the debate in the so-called "War of Margaret's Shoulder".

"Mr Howard, stop using human shields to hide behind," Dr Reid said.

"Have the guts to come out into the open and debate your indefensible policy."

Last week, a massive political row broke out over the case of Margaret Dixon, the pensioner whose shoulder operation was cancelled several times by her hospital in Warrington.

Mr Howard raised the case in the House of Commons, sparking a furious argument between the Tory leader and Mr Blair.