Calls for a vote of 'no confidence in Jeremy Hunt' gathers steam as petition gets more than 200,000 signatures

The issue of a vote of no confidence is now being considered for debate Credit: parliament.uk

Parliament could be set to debate the idea of a vote of 'no confidence' against Jeremy Hunt after a petition calling for a debate on the issue gained more than 200,000 signatures in less than two days.

The petition was posted on the parliamentary website amid a growing backlash against the Health Secretary after he announced he would be imposing junior doctors contracts despite opposition from the medical community.

Hunt has stood firm on his decision saying it is "not tenable"for him to give in to a union "if it's the wrong thing for patients".

Jeremy Hunt said he would impose new contracts on thousands of junior doctors in England after talks broke down. Credit: PA
ITV REPORT 11 February 2016 at 2:03pm Junior doctors 'could have legal grounds to challenge new contracts' A sit-down protest in Westminster during Wednesday's junior doctors strike. A sit-down protest in Westminster during Wednesday's junior doctors st Credit: PA

In a sign of the growing anger among junior doctors who say there is a serious danger of highly trained medical professionals leaving the UK for countries such as Australia if the contracts are put in place, the petition states that "Hunt is destroying all staff morale".

Parliament considers all petitions with more than 100,000 signatures for debate meaning this call for a vote of 'no confidence' could end up being discussed in the House of Commons.