Matt Hancock to look earlier than Covid inquiry
Matt Hancock would be the newest high-profile politician to look earlier than the Covid-19 inquiry as hearings proceed into Government preparedness for the pandemic.
The former well being secretary, who helped steer the coronavirus response earlier than being compelled to stop in June 2021, will give proof to Lady Hallett’s inquiry at this time (June 27).
His attendance on the inquiry comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, one other former well being secretary, admitted that “group-think” helped result in a “narrowness of thinking” that did not increase pandemic preparedness past planning for a flu outbreak.
Former deputy chief medical officer Dame Jenny Harries was yesterday quizzed on the capability of the UK well being system in addition to the organisational reforms earlier than the Covid outbreak.
Mr Hancock turned well being secretary in mid-2018, however his political profession was torpedoed after footage emerged in 2021 of his embrace with aide Gina Coladangelo.
He was central to the Government’s pandemic period decision-making and messaging, along with his personal recollections of the interval more likely to be an important a part of the inquiry.
A leak of greater than a 100,000 of his WhatsApp messages by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, a lot of which had been printed earlier this yr, offered a glimpse into the internal workings of Government throughout the interval.
The West Suffolk MP, who will stand down on the subsequent normal election, has confronted questions up to now in regards to the coverage on Covid testing and nursing houses.
Former prime minister David Cameron, former chancellor George Osborne and chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty are all amongst those that have appeared earlier than the committee to date.
Meanwhile, a former parliamentary non-public secretary to Mr Hancock has apologised for attending an occasion in Parliament whereas Covid restrictions had been nonetheless in place.
The Guido Fawkes web site reported that Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, was the co-host of an alleged drinks occasion on December 8, 2020, with the location quoting a WhatsApp message from Baroness Jenkin describing the occasion as “joint birthday drinks” to mark the pair turning 54 and 65 respectively.
The occasion got here beneath the highlight when Boris Johnson lashed out on the Privileges Committee forward of its damning report into his conduct, and accused Sir Bernard Jenkin of “monstrous hypocrisy” for allegedly attending the occasion along with his spouse.
Ms Crosbie confirmed the occasion happened however mentioned she had not despatched out any invitation.
“Regarding reports of an event held on 8th December 2020 I would like to set out the facts,” she mentioned in an announcement.
“The invitation for this event was not sent out by me. I attended the event briefly, I did not drink and I did not celebrate my birthday. I went home shortly after to be with my family.
“I apologise unreservedly for a momentary error of judgment in attending the event.”