Public Health England denies conspiracy over obesity report’s timing

The head of Public Health England has flatly denied any “conspiracy” between his independent organisation and the government over the publication of a much anticipated report expected to help tackle the epidemic of obesity.

In an angry session of the parliamentary health committee held on Monday 19 October, MPs repeatedly took chief executive Duncan Selbie to task over Public Health England’s decision not to publish its review of evidence on how best to reduce the population’s sugar intake.

The television chef Jamie Oliver, also appearing before the committee, called on the government to be “big and bold” by introducing a tax on sugar sweetened drinks.

The committee was holding the session as part of its inquiry into the government’s imminent strategy on tackling childhood obesity.

Last week Sarah Wollaston, chair of the committee and Conservative MP for …