THE Tories renewed calls last night for an inquiry into claims that former Health Secretary Alan Milburn interfered with the star rating of South Durham Hospitals NHS Trust.

The upgrading of the trust in July 2002, from two stars to a maximum three, made it eligible for an extra £1m capital funding grant. The trust is responsible for Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals.

Darlington MP Mr Milburn, who resigned as Health Secretary last June, was accused of meddling by Tory health spokesman Tim Yeo. In a Commons debate, Mr Yeo also suggested Downing Street might have been involved.

The hospital also serves Tony Blair's constituents in Sedgefield, County Durham.

Mr Milburn's successor, John Reid, rejected the claims, accusing Mr Yeo of a politically motivated attack.

He said: "Today's debate is about the failure of the Tory party to come to terms with one simple fact, that the NHS has improved, it is improving and it will continue to improve."

But Mr Yeo said there had been "meddling by a minister, meddling which was carried out, perhaps to curry favour with the Prime Minister, and perhaps even with the connivance or encouragement of 10 Downing Street itself".

Mr Milburn has dismissed the claims as "complete tosh", saying he may have questioned the ratings, but did not instruct anyone to change them.