Strictly star Jacqui Smith has been blasted for ‘prancing around’ on the BBC show while the NHS Trust she chairs suffers under the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former Home Secretary was seen strutting her stuff for the launch of this year’s programme on Saturday.
She was paired with the hit BBC1 show’s longest-serving professional male dancer, Anton Du Beke.
The former Labour MP is chair of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
But Ms Smith – whose ex-husband infamously entered a Parliamentary expenses claim for pornographic films – was criticised by a haematologist at one of the trust’s hospitals for an alleged ‘dereliction of duty’.
It comes as a health chief at Ms Smith’s NHS trust – Jonathan Brotherton – last week warned that its hospitals are at ‘tipping point’ due to the virus.
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Strictly star Jacqui Smith has been blasted for ‘prancing around’ on the BBC show while the NHS Trust she chairs suffers under the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic
The former Home Secretary was seen strutting her stuff for the launch of this year’s programme on Saturday
There are rising Covid-19 cases in the area, putting hospitals under increasing pressure.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is in charge of four hospitals – Good Hope, Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth and Solihull – and is the biggest hospital trust in England.
And haematologist Clare Gardner blasted Ms Smith for competing on the reality TV show instead of focussing all her energy on helping tackle the second wave of infections.
An online petition in Ms Gardner’s name says: ‘She is the chair of the largest NHS Trust in the UK, during a time of major crisis i.e. the second Covid-19 wave.
‘We are already in a Tier Two lockdown. I am a haematologist within the Trust she apparently chairs.
‘Our Chief Executive Dr David Rosser has made numerous statements to the press recently, describing the fear and foreboding we all sense towards rising cases.
The former Labour MP is chair of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. But Ms Smith was criticised by a haematologist at the hospital for an alleged ‘dereliction of duty’
‘She sent me a very trite card, after I spent three months heading up the outpatient haematology cancer service at Good Hope Hospital alone when my colleagues were sent to COVID rotas.
‘Now that we are facing a similarly perilous situation, she has swanned off to London to dance.
‘This is a dereliction of duty.
‘If ever there was a time to have figureheads in place for NHS organisations that are struggling, it is now.
‘Jacqui would rather wear sequins than look after her charge.’
The former MP previously said: ‘From October I am taking a step back.
‘I talked to hospitals’ chief executive Dave Rosser before I said yes and he was happy for me to go ahead.
‘The response from staff has been brilliant, they are really excited.’
Dr Rosser, CEO, of the trust, previously said: ‘We are really excited that Jacqui has agreed to be in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
‘To have one of our own UHB colleagues starring in one of the most-loved family shows on television is fantastic.
‘We wish her and whoever is lucky enough to be her partner the very, very best of luck.
‘While Jacqui will still be available for advice, she will take unpaid leave from October 1 while she remains in Strictly. Deputy Chair Harry Reilly will step in during Jacqui’s absence.’
Earlier this month, Ms Smith showed off her transformation for Strictly by posing in her dress and posting the photo on Twitter.
She wrote: ‘The @bbcstrictly wardrobe, hair and makeup teams are genius.’
Earlier this month, Ms Smith showed off her transformation for Strictly by posing in her dress and posting the photo on Twitter
The former Home Secretary said when she was announced as one of the final contestants: ‘I was speechless with excitement at being asked to join Strictly – and that’s very rare for me…’
She added: ‘Here’s a little tease of things to come! (Of course I look like this every weekend when recording @forthemanypod and that @IainDale [her co-star on the For The Many podcast] is a fiend for the sequins).
Fellow Strictly contestant and Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh, 43, posted a fire emoji and wrote that Ms Smith looked ‘sensational’.
The former Home Secretary said when she was announced as one of the final contestants: ‘I was speechless with excitement at being asked to join Strictly – and that’s very rare for me…
‘Fifty years ago, I got a bronze medal for Scottish Highland Dancing and it feels about time to return to dancing.
‘I couldn’t be in better hands with the Strictly team and I’m going to throw myself into the challenge. Watch out!’.