Activists call for Hunt U-turn on cuts

The Health Secretary's move will mean that those with more serious conditions will have to travel up to half-an-hour to another A&E, while Lewisham's maternity unit will only be able to manage 10 per cent of births.

Both Lewisham Council and the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign are threatening to launch legal action against the enforced cuts.

Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock, who spoke at the rally, said the council had written a letter to Mr Hunt stating that he has until Friday February 22 to withdraw his decision, or it will launch a judicial review.

The basis of the proposed action is to question the legality of Lewisham having to pay the price for the financial failings at neighbouring South London Healthcare Trust, which it is not a part of.

Save Lewisham Hospital campaign's Dr Louise Irvine told the Star that the group is speaking with solicitors to launch a separate legal action against the decision being made in the face of mass opposition.

The lunchtime rally at 1pm was part of a week of action organised by Defend London's NHS, an unprecedented coalition of MPs, campaigners, unions, doctors and health staff launched on Monday.

Jos Bell of the campaign quizzed London Mayor Boris Johnson about reversing the decision on Nick Ferrari's LBC Radio breakfast show today morning, but he could only bumble out an evasive answer.