John Ashton (public health director)

[13] At the time Liverpool had one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country and the Department of Health had recommended specialised informal clinics for young people.

[13] The study which liaised closely with the Health Education Council developed contacts with a wide range of community leaders to establish support for the project.

[13] Ashton believes the Victoria Gillick affair and attempts to restrict sex education in schools played a part and that a "political desire ..to control people's behaviour... worked against a genuine public health interest".

"[21] Male lifespan in Manchester was almost five years shorter than the UK average and Ashton blamed cultural differences, saying that the North's industrial heritage included heavy drinking at weekends.

[22] Ashton who had "developed a no-nonsense reputation" in his thirteen years in the job was regarded as "outspoken" and described himself as "fed up with government red tape.

[24] In 2012, The Independent published an editorial claiming that Clare Gerada, the head of the Royal College of GPs would lose out on valuable contracts if NHS changes caused increased competition.

[25] Ashton was one of 23 signatories in a letter to the Independent criticising the NHS reforms as "ultimately damaging the health of the people of England" and rejecting as "grossly misleading" the earlier article.

[26] He received a letter from his primary care trust advising him that it was "inappropriate for individuals to raise their personal concerns about the proposed government reforms" leading to questions being asked in parliament.

Nick Clegg and shadow public health minister Luciana Berger both opposed the move but called for better sex education.

[30] In July 2014, following the government's extension of the right to work flexible hours, Ashton suggested that a four-day week would reduce both stress and unemployment whilst allowing families to spend more time together.

"[32] In August 2014, Ashton criticised what he called "the moral bankruptcy of capitalism" for being unwilling to deal with the ebola epidemic which is perceived as only a threat to poor people.

[33] In March 2020, Ashton criticised the British government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, saying their reaction had been too little too late, lacked transparency and failed to mobilise the public.

[37] On 26 September 2014, following an investigation the Faculty of Public Health issued a statement stating that they 'look forward to Professor Ashton's continuation in the role of President'.