‘He should’ve been sacked a long time ago’ – South Shields MP reacts to Matt Hancock resigning as Health Secretary

In a resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday, June 26, Mr Hancock said the Government “owe it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down”.

His resignation follows a video, which was released on Friday, June 25, appeared to show the Health Secretary kissing aide Gina Coladangelo.

Pictures published in The Sun newspaper also showed Mr Hancock in an embrace with Mrs Coladangelo on May 6 – with Covid restrictions at the same banning hugs with anyone outside of your own household.

Mrs Lewell-Buck has revealed that she is “pleased” that Matt Hancock is no longer health secretary and slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson for being “powerless to act”.

The South Shields MP shared a video on Twitter her ask asking if the former Health Secretary accepts responsibility for Covid deaths in care homes throughout the pandemic in June last year.

She said: “He should’ve been sacked a long time ago. Here he is accepting responsibility for loss of life on his watch. I am pleased he’s no longer in post.

“His departure shows how weak the PM is, his own poor moral compass and conduct meant he was powerless to act. I share people’s anger."

On Friday, June 25, Mr Hancock said he was “very sorry” for breaching Covid restrictions but made it clear that the intended to resist calls for him to resign.

Following his apology, it is understood that the Prime Minister considered the matter to be “case closed” and refused to sack the former Health Secretary.

Just hours after Mr Hancock resigned from the senior minister role on Saturday, Number 10 confirmed that former Chancellor and Home Secretary Sajid Javid would replace him as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

A statement from 10 Downing Street said: “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”

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