Speaking to the Daily Express, Mike Penning has criticised NHS financing for removal of “unladylike” tattoos for a sex-change former sailor.

Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has condemned the NHS financing of tattoo removal for 57-year old Tanya Bainbridge of Manchester as a “step too far” when the cash-strapped NHS refuses to fund seemingly more deserving situations such as the drug herceptin for breast cancer sufferers and IVF treatment.

“At a time when the local health service is announcing job losses and closure of departments, this kind of NHS spending is like a kick in the teeth,” said Mike Penning.

“Dozens of childless couples in the Hemel Hempstead area are denied IVF treatment because of the NHS funding crisis,” he said. “When people are denied the chance to have children and also life-saving drugs, this shows something is very wrong”.

He added:
“People undergoing gender operations need help and support, but tattoo removal seems one step too far”.