Jeremy Hunt mocked for trying to school Stephen Hawking on Twitter

Jeremy Hunt has taken on famous scientist Stephen Hawking, firing off tweets defending himself against the professor's earlier criticism.

Mr Hunt has been mocked and questioned by social media users, who said he is "trying to school the world's most famous scientist on numbers and evidence."

In tweets Mr Hunt said: "Stephen Hawking is brilliant physicist but wrong on lack of evidence 4 weekend effect. 2015 Fremantle study most comprehensive ever ... And whatever entrenched opposition, no responsible health sec could ignore it if you want NHS 2 be safest health service in world as I do."

The world-renowned scientist had attacked Health Secretary for "cherry-picking" favourable evidence while suppressing contradictory research in order to suit his argument.

The 75-year-old, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1962, said he "would not be here today if it were not for the service" and accused the Conservatives of putting the NHS in crisis.

Angela Rayner said she was firmly on the side of the physicist, writing: "Jeremy Hunt telling Stephen Hawking he doesn't know how to interpret evidence on NHS statistics. I trust Stephen."

Clive Lewis joined in, tweeting: "Well,1 gave us complex theories on blackholes & alt universes.The other left a blackhole where the NHS was & covered his back with alt facts".

The Health Secretary was condemned on social media for his tweets.

One user wrote: "Really?? You take issue with one of the foremost scientific minds of the century? And a lifelong adult NHS patient to boot. What arrogance."

Another said: "Yeah, Hawking's always been terrible at analysing data and understanding complex issues so I'm convinced."

And another pointed out: "When the Health Secretary thinks he knows more about science than Stephen Hawking".