An MP has hit out at the heads of the largest NHS Trust in England for what he has called “incompetence of the highest order”.

John Cryer, MP for Leyton and Wanstead has released a scathing statement following the news that the Barts Health NHS Trust’s chief executive will stand down and be replaced with an ‘interim’ CE.

The Trust was placed in special measures in March after Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone w as given the lowest possible rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Last week, an inspection report at its sister hospital's The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and Newham University Hospital identified 65 areas where the trust must urgently improve.

Chief executive, Peter Morris, announced in February he is to step down this summer after six years saying he can no longer provide the long-term leadership commitment needed to move the trust towards foundation status.

John Cryer MP has heavily criticised the Trust for the failure to make a permanent appointment.

“I met with the Chief Executive and others in March and was told, yet again, that he was due to step down. I was also told, yet again, that nothing had been done with regard to recruiting his replacement. I now discover that an interim chief executive will be in place on June 1.

“We therefore have the biggest trust in the country, with a huge debt, problems all over the place and a room full of the most condemnatory reports imaginable without, apparently, any form of leadership.

“This level of incompetence – which is of a pretty high order – goes back some years.”

Mr Cryer also revealed that he has found out from the press about issues and legal cases the Trust has been involved in, rather than the management.

“Throughout this sorry saga I have been assured repeatedly that all is well. As an outstanding example of a pig-headed refusal to look facts in the face - this takes some beating,” he continued.

“In my view, elected representatives, including me, have shown enormous restraint. I have now written to the secretary of state drawing attention to the leadership of the trust, or lack of it, and I will waste no opportunity in raising these issues in the House of Commons.”

Barts Health Trust has been asked to comment.

Alwen Williams CBE, a qualified nurse, midwife and NHS manager since 1980, will replace Mr Morris as interim chief executive on June 1.