FARNHAM MP Jeremy Hunt accused Stephen Hawking of a “pernicious falsehood” in a spat over the health of the NHS on Twitter this week.

Responding to the physicist’s comments that the Tories are steering the UK towards a US-style health insurance system, the Health Secretary issued a series of Tweets challenging the claim and defending the Government’s record on the NHS.

Mr Hawking, 75, made his comments ahead of a speech at the Royal Society of Medicine today (Saturday), in which he is expected to accuse Mr Hunt of “cherrypicking” favourable evidence to suit his argument.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Cambridge professor added: “We see the balance of power in the UK is with private healthcare companies, and the direction of change is towards a US-style insurance system.”

Responding on Twitter, Mr Hunt said: “Most pernicious falsehood from Stephen Hawking is idea government wants US-style insurance system. Is it too much to ask him to look at evidence?

“NHS under Conservatives has seen more money, more doctors and more nurses than ever in history. Those with private medical insurance DOWN 9.4 per cent since 2009!”

He later added: “Stephen Hawking is brilliant physicist but wrong on lack of evidence for weekend effect.

“2015 Fremantle study most comprehensive ever and whatever entrenched opposition, no responsible health secretary could ignore it if you want NHS to be safest health service in world as I do.”