A NEW clause in the Trade Bill supposedly protecting the NHS was dismissed as worthless today by campaigners, who urged MPs to prevent a “power grab” by corporations.

The Commons held a crucial vote on the amendment, which would supposedly safeguard the health service in future trade deals, after the Morning Star went to press.

A more comprehensive amendment to protect the NHS had been tabled in the House of Lords but was withdrawn by Labour’s Baroness Thornton after the government pledged to make compromise proposals.