SLIPPERY David Cameron spearheaded another “politically motivated” assault on the Welsh NHS yesterday — but refused to answer five questions about England’s health crisis. 

Mr Cameron was accused by Labour of “smearing rather than saving the NHS” after using prime minister’s questions to rehash claims made by the Daily Mail about Welsh health services.

He said thousands of Welsh patients were flocking across the border for cancer treatment because of long waiting lists caused by funding cuts. 

And, despite being immediately debunked by the Welsh government, the Tory PM demanded they launch a public inquiry into the claims.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the pre-meditated Tory attack was a smokescreen to the party’s record on the NHS. 

“Everyone can see what the PM is doing here, after nearly five years in office, he can’t defend his record on the NHS in England,” he told MPs.

“Every time he mentions Wales, we know he’s running scared on the NHS in England.”

Tory backbenchers bounced and bellowed on the green benches as they sensed a chance to score a political point at PMQs.

But Commons speaker John Bercow intervened to tell them: “The public aren’t impressed.

“Let’s try and operate up to a certain standard,” he added. 

Unison Cymru head of health Dawn Bowden also condemned the Tory’s “scaremongering” campaign yesterday. 

She said: “The Welsh NHS is not a political football. 

“It is a service that is run by dedicated and hard-working health staff who continue to strive to deliver high-quality services to patients.”

Ms Bowden also pointed out Wales wasn’t the only part of Britain where funding cuts are affecting services. 

Mr Miliband had fired five questions at the PM about England’s NHS — including why waiting lists are there highest for six years, cancer treatment targets have been missed for the first time ever and £3 billion was wasted on reorganisation.

Although Mr Cameron dodged them in the chamber, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham has refused to let him wriggle off the hook. 

Mr Burnham demanded he give the public answers on all five questions to the PM again in a letter sent yesterday afternoon.