Heather Davey
After admitting to breaking COVID-19 rules and cheating on his wife with a colleague, Matt Hancock still remains confident in Parliament.
Breaking News
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, 42 admits to breaking his own social distancing rules. CCTV footage shows him kissing his aide Gina Colangelo, 43 early in May. Both individuals are married, with children. Already under scrutiny for the legitimacy of the employment, Hancock’s university friend and he face further pressure and questioning from a professional point of view and personal.
“Matt Hancock appears to have been caught breaking the laws he created while having a secret relationship with an aide he appointed to a taxpayer-funded job.”
On the morning of 25 June, The Sun Newspaper shared a story exposing Matt Hancock, kissing his aide Gina Colangelo. After appointing Ms Colangelo in the heights of the Coronavirus Pandemic last year, the pair have been working together closely.
The duo’s closeness is being shown in a new light, as a Westminster whistleblower leaks a raunchy image of Hancock and his aide kissing. The image from May 6 holds more concern, as at this stage England was still in stage two of COVID-19 restrictions. All the detail of what restrictions were in place are still available at Gov.UK
The image is concerning as COVID-19 rules are being broken. It isn’t the first time members of parliament have broken COVID-19 rules. At the time of the photo, level two restrictions still banned any indoor gatherings and strictly advised about social distancing in the workplace. Hancock continues to tell people, with confidence, to not do what what he is doing behind closed doors.
He addressed the image, saying, “I accept I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances. I have let people down and am very sorry.”
Labour’s Response
Mr Hancock has had callings for several issues throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic. However, this latest fiasco is seeing a heightened calling from the Labour Party for him to be fired.
MP and Chair of the Labour Party, Anneliese Dodds says, “If Matt Hancock has been secretly having a relationship with an adviser in his office – who he appointed to a taxpayer-funded role – it is a blatant abuse of power and a clear conflict of interest.”
Called an ‘untenable’ role, Labour expresses concern that the hiring of Ms Colangelo was dubious. Even more upsetting, Gina Colangelo’s role is being paid for through taxpayers’ money.
Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, says, “We can’t make laws for other people and not be willing to abide by them yourself.”
Prime Minister ‘forgives and forgets’ Health Secretary
Spokespeople from Downing Street have told the media PM Boris Johnson accepts Hancock’s apology, without the need to take anything further. For many, this is a bold move, but it seems the Prime Minister still has full faith in his Health Secretary.
The Prime Minister himself has not spoken out. However those on his behalf have given only a brief comment, regarding the incident to be ‘closed’. Labour says this is ‘spineless’ of Boris Johnson and will not be covered up so easily.
Impact on Public Faith
Throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic members of parliament have been ‘caught out’ one too many times. Leading others to lose trust and faith in the government’s decisions.
For example, Dominic Cumming’s Northumberland get-away at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak saw some people go against restrictions too. Not to mention the concealed truths of information surrounding COVID-19 and the economical/financial strain. Only recently Mr Cummings’ evidence, over the handling of the pandemic, put Mr Hancock under strain.
How many more secrets are there?
Twitter – @HeatherMarieHD
Featured image courtesy of Gotta Be Worth It from Pexels . No changes made to the image. Image License can be found here.
