The dismissal came less than two hours after the individual had been notified that Health Secretary Sajid Javid had ordered a fraud inquiry into the circumstances of the loss. The anti-fraud unit in the DHSC has been told to report directly to Mr Javid on its findings and the whistleblower was asked to provide a witness statement. The DHSC deny his sacking was linked to whistleblowing. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen described the move “a disgrace”.

       He said: “This individual should not have been sacked – he should have been promoted.

       “It seems very strange that Sajid Javid has ordered a fraud investigation but then the principal witness is sacked.

       “What sort of message is this giving about the workings of Government?”

       The loss of the tests, via supplier Kuehne and Nagel, was revealed by the Sunday Express last week.