Below are the emails that launched a fierce discussions between Labour and the Tories over how much Andy Burnham knew about a cover-up of failing hospitals. 

Jeremy Hunt tweeted an accusation saying Burnham knew about the poor performance and put pressure on the Care Quality Commission not to announce the news.

However Burnham denied any interference and threatened to sue Hunt if he did not apologise.

The emails that led to the reports were released under the Freedom of Information Act and the full disclosures can be seen below.

The request related to specific emails that were sent and received by the then CQC Chief Executive, Cynthia Bower, in January 2010.

CQC emails relating to Burnham

I am a journalist and author. I am a journalist at the UK edition of WIRED magazine. In 2015, my first book Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists, was published. My second book Reed Hastings: Building Netflix, was published in March 2020. I created FOI Directory in 2012 and have maintained it in my spare time ever since.