MATT Hancock was right to resign, the Prime Minister has said – despite Downing Street insisting on Friday that Boris Johnson considered the matter to be “closed”.
During a campaigning trip to Batley and Spen this afternoon Johnson broke his silence on the former Health Secretary’s resignation, who left after being caught on camera kissing a close aide.
After the image emerged, Number 10 was quick to say Johnson accepted Hancock’s apology and felt that was the end of the matter. But the next day Hancock was forced to resign as he faced overwhelming criticism.
READ MORE: Covid UK: Sajid Javid scolded over 'irreversible' plan to end lockdown
Asked today if Hancock’s actions had undermined the Government’s coronavirus guidance, Johnson completely U-turned, saying: “That’s right, and that’s why when I saw the story on Friday we had a new Secretary of State for Health in on Saturday.”
Also during the interview today, Johnson said the new Health Secretary Sajid Javid would be speaking in the Commons later on the next steps for England’s lockdown easing.
"I think we are looking set fair for July 19,” he told reporters after sources said Javid would be reluctant to extend the date of dropping restrictions any further.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel