PM Questions Junior Doctors' Motive In Calling Strike Days Before Election

Up to 100,000 patients in England face having their NHS care cancelled days before the general election after junior doctors announced a fresh wave of strike action, with Rishi Sunak saying it appeared to be politically motivated.

- Andrew Gregory, Rowena Mason, Jessica Elgot

Health leaders expressed alarm, warning the five-day strike would jeopardise efforts to tackle the record waiting list and "hit patients hard".

The British Medical Association said junior doctors would walk out from 7am on 27 June until 7am on 2 July. Voters go to the polls on 4 July.

The development will pile pressure on the prime minister, who has been accused of holding up a deal over pay, to end the row. If it remains unresolved, he faces the prospect of mass disruption across the NHS days before millions choose the next government.

Answering question at a campaign event in Devon, Sunak questioned the timing of the strike and said it may have been staged to help Labour.