Jeremy Hunt was left "squirming" on Channel 4 News on Tuesday after being confronted about his claims that 500 doctors had already signed up to the Government's contentious new contract.
The Health Secretary was speaking to Cathy Newman this evening about the new contract, which sparked the first all-out strike in the history of the NHS on Tuesday.
Hunt was accused by viewers of "lying" and "squirming" in his interview.
Addressing claims that he was being backed into a corner and could not "afford to lose this battle", Hunt said that he was simply delivering on the Conservatives' manifesto promises.
The impasse between the Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) prompted industrial action, from 8am to 5pm on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
It is the first time services such as A&E, maternity and intensive care have been affected during the dispute over a new contract, the Press Association reported.
Around the country, junior doctors and their supporters took to picket lines and there were a number of creative placards among them.