Forum Topic

Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock, obviously has too much time on his hands after being caught with his aide Gina. Count how many in the past have all been caught. I'll start with David Mellor, John Major.

Barbara Stevens ● 1684d74 Comments

BTW wasn't Fleur Anderson riding her bicycle in charity ride for Alzheimers recently?

Philippa Bond ● 1676d

You can see here some of the work that Age UK does with the APPGs in Parliament.  If you sign up they will let you know what they are doing.  I have told by an MP in the past too that I should ask if I wanted to go to one of the presentations.  Age UK run campaigns.  If you do write anything on any forms please for your records make a copy eg a screenshot as once you start to write it is easy to put a lot of effort into it that you may not feel that you will be able to find again.https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/politics-and-government/all-party-parliamentary-group/

Philippa Bond ● 1676d

Thanks Philippa.    Social care is being put on one side because it’s such a difficult problem to deal with.  It isn’t just older people, it’s the care of vulnerable young people, too.  It will be interesting what the government does, but I don’t seem to hear much from Labour either.  It really needs someone high profile to come forward and lead a campaign. Re: Hancock, I see the presenter Trevor Phillips was absolutely furious and he spoke for everyone from bereaved families regarding social distancing at funerals. I think I might have missed off thanking Sue and Jonathan for their condolences. Thank you to them both.

Martine Guy ● 1678d

You may find the above website interesting and useful and it may lead you to somewhere where you can write and feel you can help to improve matters.  We had to deal with the Liverpool Care Pathway some years ago where the problem was that there was supposed to be discussion with family members.  This I understand because of the bad implementation and publicity - is no longer followed.  The lack of preparation for an expected sometime pandemic when the system was already overstretched and underfunded  was always going to be very difficult.  I remember being accosted on two different occasions with parents in A&E by a person with a clipboard asking whether a DNR had been signed.  How and why would anyone sign one of those without any idea what the prognosis was?  I believe that GPs are now supposed to deal with those for everyone.  I have not seen end of life care dealt with very well in the UK except in the case of my sister in a hospice which was absolutely wonderful and peaceful and pain-free and where we were also offered some counselling if we wanted it.  There are people who don't want to die being hurried off before they are ready and people ready and wanting to die being denied their wish.That is something that also needs more discussion.

Philippa Bond ● 1678d

remember when he said "don't kill yer nan"....

Maxine Campbell ● 1678d

And now we have another scandal brewing about the use of private email accounts ...

Michael Ixer ● 1681d

I don’t care about Hancock’s personal life, but it is his hypocracy.  It has unleashed the anger of relatives of those who have died or had funerals effected because of the Covid social distancing rules.

Martine Guy ● 1681d

Barbara, Hancock wasn't paying her anything. It was us, the taxpayers, funding her position as,in my understanding, a non executive director of his department which would normally be a part time position. So £15,000 per annum would seem a typical amount.Michael W, if you've read the thread that's the point many of us have been making!

Michael Ixer ● 1681d

If Hancock was only paying her £15000 were they the only benefits she got. Surely he didn't offer his body as added extra.

Barbara Stevens ● 1681d

For a long while I have not read so much rubbish as in this thread.Matt Hancock has not had to resign because of infidelity.He is a prime example of the corrupt Tory crony capitalist junta running the country nd he went to far:-Mistress apponited to state-paid job and taken to public funded jollies.-Huge value public contracts awarded to friends by a Minister who conducts business through a private email address.If in a few short months he has suddenly found love, well that's great for him, but not for his wife and his children, the youngest being 8. That is a personal choice. He has been shagging the rest of us for a while though, so at least it is now a public matter.

Michael Winstanley ● 1681d

Thanks Martine, it must have been very upsetting for you.

Barbara Stevens ● 1681d

Barbara, if you think your cousin isn’t eating/drinking sufficiently and are reaching a point where their life is at risk, then I would advise your family to call 999 and ask for an ambulance.  Ignore the CAREhome staff if you have to.

Martine Guy ● 1681d

Martine, in the Care home in Bournemouth, my cousin and her husband had separate rooms they must have spent nearly all their money. Her husband died 2 years ago, so rather than her have nobody in Bournemouth that's why when her son moved they got her into a home up there. Must have been an awful experience after living in Bournemouth nearly all her married life. But originally form Olympia, Hammersmith.

Barbara Stevens ● 1681d

And I’d like to add CAREhomes are businesses with huge amounts of money involved.  I did wonder if staff were on some sort of mission not to spend money.  My mum went several months without a chiropodist, why?  I arranged a private chiropodist to come in, as I got fed up of asking  for one to visit.  Is it true, or am I wrong, that GP’s receive payments for visiting a care home?  Why is this when we have a National Health Service? The whole CAREhome business needs to be opened up for scrutiny, imo.  The Labour Party should be taking up social care as a cause, as nobody knows what they stand for anymore.

Martine Guy ● 1681d

Barbara, we have been through this situation.  When I was caring for my mum in her home, there came a time when I had to make sure she ate and often I would help her.  You would expect in a CAREhome that this would also be the case, indeed you would think CAREhomes would keep a record of food/drink intake.  I wanted my mum to be taken to hospital and put on a drip, but the CAREhome refused, saying the ambulance would not come.  This was at the start of Covid in April 2020. As I say, if the Labour Party want a cause to take up, it should be to make CAREhomes subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Martine Guy ● 1681d

Martine, I have a cousin who was moved from a Bournemouth care home, up to Blackpool area because her son moved with his wife. I've heard she doesn't want to eat and has had enough, should they not take them into Hospital if they won't eat. She's 83, I think her son could only talk by looking into the window as she was on the ground floor. He can visit now.

Barbara Stevens ● 1681d

I read they are  still thinking of introducing a limit on the amount of your home and savings that can be used for social care.  I think it was using your savings so you are left with £50,000. Currently it’s about £26,000.   I would like to see carehomes run by the state, so that there are the same minimum levels of care in every home.  If people want to opt out and go private, then it should be up to them. 
One of the most important things that could be done, imo, is to make carehomes subject to the Freedom of Information Act.  Why should there be secrecy in the way they are operated?  If the Labour Party are looking for a cause to take up, then this should be one of them.

Martine Guy ● 1681d

Ed. To be honest I don't expect any change. it's possible with his background he could say it cant be subsidised, keep selling your houses? 

Michael Ixer ● 1681d

"will Javid"s financial background assist him with sorting out the care issues?"Michael the Conservatives have been in power for 12 years. What has changed to make you think that they will tackles this issue?

Ed Robinson ● 1682d

Ed. Yes, the Good Law Project has been endeavouring to use the courts to uncover the corrupt practices of this government, while this government is throwing taxpayer's - our - money into their defence to try and maintain their cover ups.Still, good to see Hancock has gone. Javid seems a sensible choice. It will be interesting to see how he and Sunak get on now they are in sort of equivalent positions. Aside from Covid, will Javid"s financial background assist him with sorting out the care issues?

Michael Ixer ● 1682d

Robert,I agree during a large part of the pandemic Piers Morgan (who is not my cup of tea) was the leader of the opposition IMO.The Good Law Project has also shed some light on what government would like to remain hidden.Think the opposition could be if only the Labour Party had someone in charge that understood the law!

Ed Robinson ● 1682d

The opposition now is not Labour as they are pathetic it has become the media.

Robert Wheeler ● 1682d

The policies are more important than who takes charge - but that of course assumes transparency and no hidden agendas.On the opposition side they really need to get rid of Ainsworth and promote Khan. Where was Ainsworth during this pandemic??

Ed Robinson ● 1682d

Who do you suggest Ivonne?

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

I wish the appointment went to someone who specializes in medicine and not an economics and politics graduate.The same would apply to education.  Put an expert in education in!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1682d

Yes Ed I agree with you. I just wondered if Boris might appoint him on a knee jerk basis just to fill the position with somebody who knows the way round the NHS.  Glad he didn't!  I like Javid but he didn't occur to me because I thought he had been moving away from politics.

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

@ AndyOh good I like him. Very clever man.

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

Hunt was one of the reasons the NHS was in such poor shape to deal with the pandemic.

Ed Robinson ● 1682d

Seems it's to be Sajid Javid

Andy Pike ● 1682d

*way sorry phone sabotage again

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

Just had an alert on my phone that said Hancock dumps wife after news of affair broke. "Dumps wife" is a very cruel and unnecessary watt to put it out. 😡

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

Maybe Hunt? Although he has the experience he was not that popular with NHS staff.

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

Nadeem Zahawi must be a front runner.

Andy Pike ● 1682d

Resigned as Heath Secretary.How long before he is back in another post? No change to the system, I give it 6 months.

Ed Robinson ● 1682d

I was quite surprised at the news!  I really did not think he would do so.  Let us see who follows him.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1682d

Amazing. Didn’t expect that but that’s not my first wrong prediction. Who will replace him? Gove?

Jonathan Callaway ● 1682d

Hancock has resigned!

Sue Hammond ● 1682d

It just distracts attention from all those contracts which are under investigation.

Philippa Bond ● 1683d

Sue quite right hence my remarks about about withholding entry to the House of Lords, it was a reference to Blair.The BBC should be subjected to ofcom just like other broadcasters.it is a State broadcaster it just that people are in denial.Hancock and ministers received soft interviews by the BBC whilst boycotting other channels. The BBC not only failed to hold the government to account it gave them a platform.Michael "inside job": Next you will be suggesting connections between the government and our "free press"!https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/28/queens-refusal-to-knight-tony-blair-is-gong-blocking-david-cameron-13815007

Ed Robinson ● 1683d

Hi Ed. The BBC is very selective in its reporting and has a long history of coverups so there are no surprise there. I really cannot understand why so many people think the BBC is the bees knees of broadcasting and believe everything it churns out. Maybe this is because its name contains the word British which makes it sound authoritative and trustworthy? Unfortunately the corporation seems to rise above all the mistakes and controversies and the head honcho rarely steps down.  Rather like politicians ...Jail time for our leaders would have been 100% appropriate for warmonger Blair!

Sue Hammond ● 1683d

Hancock (with BJ backing) insists that his clinch with Gina Coladangelo is a private matter. How can it be private when it happened in his ministerial office and involved a woman controversially employed by him at £15,000 p.a., paid for by you and me? Also, I wonder whether Mrs Hancock agrees it is a private matter. Set aside the "morality" argument. Focus on the facts. They are incontrovertible - and for a Health Secretary, demanding self-discipline from Joe Public, unforgiveable.

Alexander MacLeod ● 1683d

Aside from how this woman was appointed to this job (which does seem a bit like cronyism) there is the issue of the fact that she was a NED on the board that presumably has oversight on Hancock and his department; a potentially significant conflict of interest and, if neither had declared it, it would in many organisations be against governance rules. Breaking the social distancing rules that he promotes it just a lack of integrity, full stop. Still, it's not a surprise, some of us pointed out the lack of integrity that Johnson and his rabble of parliamentary supporters had before the last general election. Hancock should go: leaders should gave integrity. Sue raises an interesting point about the security of his department. We dont know the full details but as I said yesterday I bet there's a big investigation in progress. However, I suspect this is an inside job which are the ones that are difficult to guard against. I wonder how it will pan out ...

Michael Ixer ● 1683d

Martine, I am really sorry to hear that.  I attended a funeral in April last year where we could not pay the respects we wanted, thanks to the same rules he has been flouting. I think he should resign but I doubt he will.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1683d

Sue,I see the BBC has covered the affair but it did not cover the important issues around mismanagement and corruption very well - and some elements not at all.The BBC were actually defending Cummings last year I recall.By distraction I mean a grossly disproportionate amount of time compared to more serious issues.The handling of the first wave was shambolic in almost every aspect. The state, which includes the leader of the opposition and the BBC closed ranks, covered up, glossed over, ignored so many thing that could have prevented such a bad outcome. Lessons were not learnt and mistakes were repeated again and again.Perhaps the prospect of our leaders seeing jail time may change things as they do in France, Israel and the US for example. I guess withholding entry to the House of Lords or a resignation for an affair is the UK's best in world equivalent!

Ed Robinson ● 1683d

Sincere condolences Martine.I don't think Hancock should be sacked, but he will probably resign anyway. I do understand the hypocrisy angle but millions of people have flouted the rules during lockdown but the difference is that the vast majority got away with it. Hancock alone isn't responsible for making the lockdown rules; they derive from collective decisions made by the collaboration of scientists and the Govt. Hancock has just been the the relevant mouthpiece to deliver them to the public and take all the flak.There is increasing speculation that the images were captured by a camera secreted inside a smoke detector in Hancock's office. If this is true why was a camera hidden there and for what reason?  My initial thoughts were that Hancock had been set up and I am totally convinced now that is what has happened. There is an interesting article in the DM🙀and the extract copied below is far more worrying than Hancock having an illicit grope in a Whitehall corridor.https://mol.im/a/9727215"The former detective, who is now a crime writer, continued: 'If someone can place a covert camera in a government ministers office so easily, it's a huge security problem, and next time it might be a bomb."

Sue Hammond ● 1683d

What gets me, he was seen on the News laughing and covering his face, oh I've been caught, I'm a man. He thinks people will think more of him now. WRONG. He is unable to answer questions when he is spoken to about anything.

Barbara Stevens ● 1683d

Thanks Michael for clearing up my confusion about the date of Matt Hancock’s office embrace. There have been many deaths in carehomes because of Covid, but there have been others caused by the need to socially distance.  If carehome residents with dementia don’t have any visitors they give up on life.  Also if family/friends are denied visits no one is checking that residents are getting adequate care. I was not allowed to put a French flag on my mother’s coffin —  either in the hearse or as it was lowered into the ground, so that mum could be buried with it.  Why? because of cross contamination.  Hypocrite, Hancock, should be sacked.

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Thanks, Barbara.

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Martine. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother and your sad experience.In answer to your question I believe the image was 6th May this year. I'm inferring that from the BBC website news article which doesn't mention a year but later refers to another item as "March last year".

Michael Ixer ● 1683d

So sorry Martine, it's not fair.

Barbara Stevens ● 1683d

Am I right, that this episode took place in May 2020?   My mum’s funeral was May 2020.  I was refused having a piece of cloth over my mother’s coffin, ie the French flag.  My daughter held it for me, whilst a French priest conducted the service at the graveside. SHAME ON YOU, HANCOCK!

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Thank you, Philippa.

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Thank you, Philippa.

Martine Guy ● 1683d

So Sorry Martine

Philippa Bond ● 1683d

Ivonne, thank you so much for the very kind words.  

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Martine,I am so but so sorry to hear about your mother; truly heart-breaking, more so for you!  I am truly sorry. 

Ivonne Holliday ● 1683d

Mail Online:  “Knowing this man was ignoring the rules whilst we were unable to hug friends and family at our loved ones funerals is heartbreaking”. ”Bereaved families disgust at Matt Hancock after CCTV exposes him kissing aide and breaking his own Covid regulations”. My mum was Catholic and we couldn’t even have a proper church service, but had to stand at the graveside. SHAME ON YOU, HANCOCK!

Martine Guy ● 1683d

I don't think anyone cares who Matt Hancock is shagging, it's the hypocracy and the possible (probable?) conflict of interest in his mistress's appointment. Mellor was unlucky because at the time many of his colleagues were banging on about family values (although in fairness I don't think he was) so they couldn't really support his straying from them.At least Mellor knew something about the arts, as does Clarke; I've seen Mellor at the ROH a number of times. I don't necessarily agree with all of Clarke's and Mellor's views but at least they're broad minded and human.

Michael Ixer ● 1683d

My mum gave up on life because social distancing rules meant I could not visit her as before Covid.  I couldn’t even visit her on Mother’s Day.  At her funeral I was not even allowed to put the French flag over her coffin because of cross contamination. Resign Hancock!

Martine Guy ● 1683d

My mum died in her carehome in April 2020, she starved to death. SHAME ON YOU! MATT HANCOCK!

Martine Guy ● 1683d

Shame on you, Matt Hancock!  Resign!

Martine Guy ● 1683d

This is a direct quote by Ken Clarke on Twitter:“I’ve just got back from a boozy lunch with David Mellor. He told me “Christ Ken! I was born in the wrong era. Think about what I could away with these days. I really would have been the Minister for Fun!””You couldn’t make it up etc...

Jonathan Callaway ● 1683d

This could do for him:Matt Hancock 'affair': Aide Gina Coladangelo's relative has top job at company with NHS contractshttp://news.sky.com/story/matt-hancock-affair-aide-gina-coladangelos-relative-has-top-job-at-company-with-nhs-contracts-12341789

Sue Hammond ● 1683d

I suppose we had the eye tests Cummings' style.I imagine anybody stressing the importance of social distancing will be ask: "Hancock's style"?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1683d

Apparently their relationship has been an open secret for some time so it could have been leaked/disclosed at any time in the last few months. I don't think the Govt is using this as a distraction technique because what would they gain by doing it?  The photos have obviously been taken covertly so I think that somebody with a personal grudge against Hancock has disclosed them out of malice. 

Sue Hammond ● 1684d

I heard in a report the incident was in May this year. I wonder why it's taken a month to release it? I bet the pressure is on to find who leaked the picture. My guess would be someone took a snap on a phone, otherwise it ought to be easy to track down who took the image assuming they're using the latest digital security imaging system. Of course someone may originally have snapped it to circulate for a laugh with colleagues an friends? Then someone else leaked it more recently?

Michael Ixer ● 1684d

And Liz Truss is supporting him saying that he didn't break any rules.  Is she now or has she ever been aware of any social distancing rules?

Philippa Bond ● 1684d

The distraction is more about the timing of these revelations, not the deed itself.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1684d

Hancock should resign.  Families have suffered grief and heartache through being kept apart from loved ones because of social distancing.  People can’t even have weddings or funerals in the usual manner.  His private life is his own but whilst the country is social distancing, his behaviour is unacceptable.

Martine Guy ● 1684d

I think he should definitely do the decent thing and resign - purely for the fact of thousands of Care Home residents were not allowed to hug their loved ones and suffered greatly because of the law. I also feel very sorry for his wife.

Caroline Hutchings ● 1684d

Blimey this would be some distraction technique!  With the potential to end two marriages? I think not.

Sue Hammond ● 1684d

Boris case is still on going I think. May last longer than the Blair saga!I agree with Michael people are entitled to their private life's, it is the conflict of interest that should be the only concern.It's a UK distraction technique to prevent real accountability IMO. Sadly one of many.

Ed Robinson ● 1684d

He has now admitted to breaching social distancing guidelines and apologised - given the photographic evidence it would seem difficult to do otherwise. If he doesn't resign we definitely have one rule for Tory hypocrites and another rule for the rest of us? Or perhaps he didn't understand the rules - which would explain a lot and is even more reason for him to go. At least professor Ferguson of IC did the honourable thing and resigned from SAGE; although some might consider that a loss of expertise from that body by some.

Michael Ixer ● 1684d

I think the issue is whether there was a conflict of interest concerning her appointment to his department. In the case of Mellor and Major l don't think there were any similar accusations. Hancock just seems to be following his leader's example (if the accusations are correct).

Michael Ixer ● 1684d