The Department of Health is set to defy a second legal ruling by the information commissioner to release the NHS risk register, it was reported today.

The MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, said:

"It simply beggars belief that, despite two rulings demanding the release of the NHS risk register, the Health Secretary is willing to defy the law to keep it secret.

"The refusal to come clean speaks volumes - the Government knows that its own assessment could be the nail in the coffin of the hugely flawed and unpopular Health and Social Care Bill.

"The Department of Health's apparent belief that it can rightfully ignore public opinion, the concerns of health professionals and now the Information Commissioner is symptomatic of the kind of staggering arrogance we have come to expect from this Government - not to mention a complete disregard for the democratic process.

"David Cameron must now intervene to accept the legal ruling and lay the results of the Government's risk register bare for all - the public, MPs and the Lords - to see.

"I have written urgently to the Secretary of State today - and when the Bill is debated in Parliament next week, will once again add my voice to the calls for the ‘reforms' to be dropped completely in order to safeguard the founding principles of the NHS."

ENDS