AN MP has spoken of his determination to pursue allegations of cronyism within the region's health service.

As Angela Ballatti, the new chairman of North Durham Health Care NHS Trust started her job yesterday, Durham North MP Kevan Jones warned that he would not let the issue drop.

Mr Jones is angry that local councillor Kevin Earley was not reappointed as chairman of the North Durham NHS Trust.

University tutor Mrs Ballatti, a former colleague of Appointments Commission chairman John Marshall, was offered the job.

Another past colleague of Mr Marshall, Sandy Anderson, was appointed as chairman of the South Durham Health Care NHS Trust.

Mrs Ballatti's first day at the office was overshadowed by the MP's insistence that he intended to raise the issue in the House of Commons.

"I am not going to let this go. I am putting it down for an adjournment debate to try to get it discussed on the floor of the House," said Mr Jones.

"The fact that two people were appointed who both worked with the chairman of the panel does not fill you with a great deal of public confidence," he said.

The NHS appointments system was recently overhauled to avoid allegations of political cronyism, with an independent commission deciding who gets jobs.

Mr Jones, who plans to raise the issue with the Commons Select Committee, said: "The wider issues for me are about public accountability. People criticised the old system when the Secretary of State used to appoint, but at least Parliament could actually scrutinise and question him or her about these appointments. With quangoes you can't do that."

The MP said his gut feelings were that Mr Earley had been "done down by the system" despite doing a good job.

The Appointments Commission insists the proper procedures were followed.