A Conservative MP has criticised Jeremy Hunt for “misquoting evidence” while arguing for the imposition of a new junior doctor’s contract.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, the chair of the Commons' Health Select Committee, said the health secretary used an "entirely unreasonable" strategy to garner support for an “unachievable” seven-day NHS.

Writing in the Guardian, Ms Wollaston said, “Ministers are undermining their case and inflaming tensions by misquoting evidence”, adding Mr Hunt risks an “exodus” of young medics from the NHS.

Her claim follows repeated accusations that Mr Hunt misrepresented research into death rates among patients admitted over the weekend.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Totnes and chairs the Commons Health Committee (Facebook)

The author of a study into patient deaths cited by the health secretary, and used as part of his justification for imposing the new contract on junior doctors, said his use of figures was “inaccurate”, after Mr Hunt claimed in July around 6,000 patients a year died because of the level of NHS staffing at weekends.

At PMQs in February, Jeremy Corbyn asked David Cameron whether he agreed Mr Hunt had been misleading when he cited the figure.

Ms Wollaston, who was a GP for 25 years before becoming an MP in 2010, also debunked Mr Hunt’s claim that more doctors were needed at weekends to improve death rates among patients.

Instead, she claims, the Government should focus on ensuring more senior directors and nurses are available at weekends and better access to diagnostic services is provided.

“It is perfectly reasonable for the government to try and tackle the higher mortality at 30 days [after admission] for those admitted to hospital at weekends but entirely unreasonable to blunder on asserting that the new contract is the answer,” she said.

In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London

In her addition to her attacks on Mr Hunt, Ms Wollaston, whose daughter is a junior doctor, also criticised the British Medical Association for not accepting the government’s final offer in February to resolve the dispute.

She also described junior doctor’s plans for a full strike on 26 and 27 April, during which doctors will not provide emergency surgery for the first time, as “disastrous”.

The BMA, told the Guardian, Ms Wollaston's claims "show a complete disregard for the views of junior doctors".

The government announced plans to unilaterally impose the new contract on all junior doctors in England in February, after talks with the doctors' union, the British Medical Association, broke down.

The main sticking point of the new contract is changes to pay for working Saturdays and unsociable hours.