Mr Burnham said he believed the bill - said to be proposing the biggest shake-up since the founding of the NHS in 1948 - would not be passed.

BBC: Simon Hughes: Andrew Lansley should go after NHS change

Ms Morgan said she was delighted to have Mr Burnham's support for the bill, which would affect Wales and England.

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Labour's Andy Burnham had urged Lib Dem activists to help stop the NHS bill, in an open letter on a Lib Dem website.

BBC: Lib Dems: Party activists reject holding NHS protest vote

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham vowed to give Mr Cameron the "fight of his life" unless he toned down the bill.

BBC: Simon Hughes: Andrew Lansley should go after NHS change