A GP who is also the chairman of Tooting Labour Party has been criticised for defending the NHS on a live radio debate.

Dr Tom Coffey, who practises at the Brocklebank Centre in Tooting Lane, was invited to appear on Radio Five Live's Nicky Campbell show last week to take part in a 'Should politicians dabble with the NHS?' debate.

Conservatives have been quick to criticise Dr Coffey who said he was not asked by the programme makers about his politics.

The programme aired during the recent row over 94-year-old Rose Addis, who allegedly spent three days in a north London hospital's A&E department.

Dr Coffey claimed the NHS was improving and politicians should not use a single case as an example of the system as a whole.

Speaking to the News, Dr Coffey said: "I keep my politics and health work separate. None of my patients know my political persuasion because it's something I do in my time off. If the BBC had asked me if I was a Labour Party supporter I would have said.

"I really believe in the NHS and will put my neck on the line to defend it. I think the NHS is improving and I gave examples such as the new walk-in centre in Tooting."

Dr Coffey's appearance was criticised by shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox who said: "We look forward to the BBC giving a Conservative supporting doctor the same amount of air-time on the Nicky Campbell programme in the near future."

A BBC Radio Five Live spokesman said: "Had we known Dr Coffey was a Labour Party member, it would not have disqualified him but we would of course have wanted to inform our audience."