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UK health secretary Matt Hancock resigns

The UK's health secretary Matt Hancock has resigned. It comes after images emerged of him kissing...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

18.32 26 Jun 2021


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UK health secretary Matt Hanco...

UK health secretary Matt Hancock resigns

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

18.32 26 Jun 2021


Share this article


The UK's health secretary Matt Hancock has resigned.

It comes after images emerged of him kissing and embracing one of his own aides at the Department of Health.

Matt Hancock has admitted he breached his own government's social distancing rules.

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The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Labour and some Tory MPs had all called for him to go.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said he "accepted" Mr Hancock's previous apology and had said that the matter was closed.

However, on Saturday evening Mr Hancock confirmed he'd visited Mr Johnson to hand in his resignation.

In a social media video, the Conservative MP said: "Those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them, and that's why I've got to resign."

Mr Johnson said he was "sorry to receive" Mr Hancock's resignation letter, saying: "You should leave office very proud of what you achieved - not just in tackling the pandemic, but even before COVID-19 struck us".

Main image: File photo of Matt Hancock. Picture by: Aaron Chown/PA Wire/PA Images

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