Boris Johnson to reject calls to sack Matt Hancock after photo of kiss with aide Gina Coladangelo emerges

Boris Johnson has rejected calls to sack Matt Hancock after the health secretary admitted breaching the government’s rules on social distancing.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock with adviser Gina Coladangelo (left) outside BBC Broadcasting House in London earlier this year. Photo: Yui Mok/PA WireHealth Secretary Matt Hancock with adviser Gina Coladangelo (left) outside BBC Broadcasting House in London earlier this year. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Health Secretary Matt Hancock with adviser Gina Coladangelo (left) outside BBC Broadcasting House in London earlier this year. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Mr Hancock apologised after images emerged of him kissing a close aide who he appointed in his office at the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Labour said his position had become “hopelessly untenable” and called for him to be sacked if he was not prepared to not quit voluntarily.

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However, a Downing Street spokesman said that Mr Johnson had accepted Mr Hancock’s apology and “considers the matter closed”.

Mr Hancock said he was “very sorry” for letting people down after The Sun published a CCTV image of him kissing Gina Coladangelo.

The paper reported that the health secretary was having an extramarital affair with Ms Coladangelo, who he knew from their days together at Oxford University and who he appointed to the DHSC last year.

She was initially taken on as an unpaid adviser on a six-month contract in March last year, before being appointed as a non-executive director at the department.

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In a statement, Mr Hancock said: “I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances, I have let people down and am very sorry,” he said.

“I remain focused on working to get the country out of this pandemic, and would be grateful for privacy for my family on this personal matter.”

Legislation in place at the time stated that “no person may participate in a gathering” that “consists of two or more people… and takes place indoors.”

The only exception to this rule was for “work purposes or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services”.

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It is unclear whether Mr Hancock believes his embrace was part of a work meeting.

Guidance in place until May 17 also said people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble.

Specifically regarding workplaces, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had guidance in place at the time saying they must be kept Covid-secure.

It said social distancing “means keeping people apart to help reduce the spread of coronavirus”, adding: “Where possible, you should keep people 2m apart. If this is not possible, consider additional control measures.”

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The additional measures that could be used if social distancing was not possible included deciding “if the activity can be stopped” and keeping “the activity time as short as possible”.

The workplace should also be organised “so that people are side-by-side or facing away from each other rather than face-to-face”.

Efforts should also be made to “reduce the number of people in close proximity in the work area” and “consider if workers can stay in one place or at one workstation when working”.