Matt Hancock has resigned as health secretary after scores of demands from the public, Tory MPs, ministers, and Conservatives asked for the 42-year-old to be fired amid the scandal.
Hancock had been pondering quitting since Friday, according to reports, when his apologies for kissing his closest aide, Gina Coladangelo, in his office in violation of his own Covid-19 guidelines failed to appease public fury.
Hancock’s resignation letter read: “We have worked so hard as a country to fight the pandemic. The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis. I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this. I also need [to] be with my children at this time.”
The letter also sang praises of the “dedication and courage of the NHS staff” while failing to acknowledge other staff who work in social care.
The prime minister’s authority has been seriously impacted by the resignation, since he initially stood by Hancock after his apologies, calling the situation “closed.”
In his response, Johnson expressed regret for Hancock’s resignation and stated that he “should leave office very proud of what you have achieved – not just in tackling the pandemic, but even before Covid-19 struck us.” Johnson, on the other hand, looked to provide a path back to government, saying “I am grateful for your support, and believe that your contribution to public service is far from over.”
Keir Starmer, Labour Party leader, agreed Hancock was “right to resign. But Boris Johnson should have sacked him”.
Downing Street announced Sajid Javid, a former chancellor and home secretary, as Hancock’s replacement last night. Javid resigned as chancellor in February last year after the prime minister informed him that to keep his job, he had to fire his top aides and replace them with advisers picked by No 10.
From early yesterday, it became more obvious that Hancock’s position was untenable, and that Johnson’s defense of him was inciting public outrage. Hancock was reportedly said to have told his 15-year-old wife on Thursday night that he was leaving her. Martha Hancock is alleged to have been ignorant of his affair until it was published in the Sun.
Update: Gina Coladangelo left her South London family home on Friday 25th June that she shares with Oliver Bonas founder, Oliver Tress.
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