Leaked messages from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock reveal his furious reaction to news that photographs of him kissing his aide, Gina Coladangelo, were about to be published. The messages, which occurred in June 2021, show Hancock asking how bad the pictures were and expressing disbelief that they could have been taken.
He and Ms. Coladangelo also reacted with shock to a video of their encounter.
The affair and the leaked footage occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, at a time when social distancing restrictions were in place, leading to national outrage. Hancock subsequently resigned as Health Secretary, and his marriage ended.
He claimed in his memoir that he resigned because colleagues failed to defend him publicly, despite assurances he could continue his role. The revelation of these messages coincides with a public inquiry that concluded chaos at the heart of government and a failure to take Covid-19 seriously cost 23,000 lives in the first wave of the pandemic.
The inquiry found that cabinet members, including Hancock, and key scientists did not act with sufficient urgency. It also criticized former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership and decision-making during the crisis.
The government has stated it will carefully consider the inquiry's report.
