SAJID JAVID has reportedly ruled out making former test and trace boss Dido Harding the next NHS England chief executive following pressure from MPs and campaigners.

The Tory peer faced fierce opposition to her bid to lead the NHS after presiding over the country’s failed track and trace system, described as the “most wasteful and inept public spending programme of all time.”

Reports by the Sunday Times suggest the divisive figure’s bid has now been cut short. The paper says the Health Secretary has vetoed her application, according to a senior government source.

Mr Javid’s decision comes after Labour MP Richard Burgon tabled a parliamentary motion demanding he use his powers to block Baroness Harding. 

Her bid to run the health service also ran into criticism after she was said to have pledged to end the NHS’s “reliance on foreign workers” as part of her pitch for the position. 

Migrant rights groups and health professionals accused the Tory peer of “xenophobic dog-whistling.” 

Anti-privatisation campaigners welcomed the move. We Own It campaigns officer Pascale Robinson said: “It is refreshing news that Dido Harding’s application to head up NHS England has been blocked.

“Harding has presided over the disastrous test and trace system, where private companies like Serco have been handed multimillion-pound contracts. 

“Under Harding’s watch, the experience and expertise already in our NHS has been sidelined and greedy profiteers have been lining their pockets. Anyone with this record should be kept well away from running any part of our NHS. 

“Whoever the next head of NHS England is, we need someone committed to the principles of a health service fully in public hands run for the benefit of public health, not private profit.”