Wes Streeting was challenged by Fiona Bruce for opposing a development in his constituency despite Labour’s housing plans.
The BBC Question Time host pointed out that the Cabinet minister was against 850 homes being built on the green belt in his Ilford North seat.
The moment came as the show debated whether the Government’s target of 1.5million new homes by the end of this Parliament was an “assault on our green and pleasant land”.
Host Ms Bruce said: “So why did you oppose 850 homes being built on green belt land in your constituency along with many other Cabinet ministers including Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves?”
Mr Streeting replied: “There are well-used sports pitches used by kids and actually people of all ages from a wide range of backgrounds in my constituency and I didn’t think that housing development was appropriate.”
Ms Bruce pressed: “But isn’t that the issue Wes, everywhere where local people or Labour MPs are opposing these developments there’s always a really good reason for it but that’s exactly what stops these housing being built and you’re as guilty of it as anyone else.”
Mr Streeting replied: “There’s not always a good reason but it’s okay by the way that whether it’s MPs, councillors or members of the public don’t think a development is right that we speak up.
“But it’s also right that we’re looking at it objectively as well and that’s what Angela Rayner has set out to do.
“So I don’t regret defending those playing pitches because that’s really important for quality of life, for bringing kids from different backgrounds together to play sport.
“There are going to be these sorts of choices and trade-offs, housing won’t always be appropriate.
“But it is important that we unlock the planning process, that we make it easier to build the homes we need and we get rid of the blockages that have stopped the number of homes needed.”
Tory Nigel Huddleston went on to accuse the Health Secretary of “astounding” hypocrisy during the clash.