Jeremy Hunt: I did not install a £44,000 private bathroom for myself

Jeremy Hunt has denied a report that he has installed a £44,000 toilet and shower suite for his personal use in the Department for Health’s new offices.

According to the Sun, the private bathroom includes a designer toilet, lava tiles, a designer power shower and sensor-activated lights.

It claimed that it had been fitted to allow him to wash and change after cycling to work.

The Department of Health is due to move from Whitehall to new offices in nearby Victoria.

Two nurses’ salaries

The Sun calculated that the £44,000 price tag could have paid the salaries of two nurses or five heart bypass operations.

The spending was branded ‘absurd’ by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

The department could not give details about plans for a suite, and did not confirm how much it would cost, who it would be for or where it would be located.

But Mr Hunt tweeted: “Today’s TheSun story totally false. TRUE I requested shower for long dist cyclists in new Dept Health offices (as in current office).

“FALSE it was for my own use. My cycle 2work only 10 mins so no need 2 ‘freshen up’ as story elegantly says. But let’s encourage cyclists!”

NHS cash pressure

The controversy blew up as the National Health Service faces unprecedented financial pressures.

It has been instructed to make £22bn in efficiency savings within three years.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The Health Secretary has not approved any costs relating to the department’s new building, but has requested facilities for all cyclists and runners in line with those the department currently has.”