A PUBLIC health expert has warned the new Tory health secretary he may be forced to eat his words after he promised to end lockdown permanently.

Professor Devi Sridhar, an adviser to the Scottish Government, criticised Sajid Javid after he announced his priority was to lift restrictions as soon as possible.

England’s remaining lockdown measures are set to be eased on July 19 – the date was pushed back from June 21 due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant.

Sources close to Matt Hancock’s successor say he is “extremely reluctant” to slow down unlocking plans due to fears about the economy – despite a huge spike in Delta variant cases.

Javid, who is giving a coronavirus update in Parliament today, told BBC News: “I want to see the restrictions lifted and life going back to normal as quickly as possible. That is my absolute priority.”

READ MORE: Sajid Javid wants to end lockdown 'as soon as possible' amid economy fears

He added: “It’s going to be irreversible. There’s no going back and that’s why we want to be careful during that process.”

Sridhar, of the University of Edinburgh, issued a warning to the new UK Health Secretary.

She replied: “His job is to focus on health & to protect the NHS & its staff. Needs to go talk to those on the front-line.

“The equally important economy part is for the Chancellor.

“‘Irreversible’ has never paid off for any politician who said that anywhere in the world during this pandemic.”

Javid, who stepped in after Hancock resigned in disgrace due to a kissing scandal, was also asked about pay rises for nurses – but refused to commit to a substantial uplift.

Unions are demanding a 12.5% increase, but Boris Johnson’s government recommended a mere 1% rise in April.

READ MORE: Sajid Javid: Who is the new Health Secretary and what has he said about independence?

The decision is now being examined by the Pay Review Body, which is yet to publish its findings.

Javid said: “We have an independent pay review body. I haven’t seen what they’re going to be recommending yet but I look forward to receiving that.

“What I will be doing and what the Government will be doing is providing all the support that we can to NHS staff, the doctors, the nurses.”

In Scotland, the Royal College of Nursing has entered into a trade dispute with ministers after a 4% pay increase was rejected.