Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner has called on the Prime Minister’s ethics adviser to investigate whether the England Health Secretary broke the ministerial code following revelations about Matt Hancock’s alleged affair with an aide.
In a letter to Boris Johnson, Ms Rayner said Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministerial interests, should probe Matt Hancock’s behaviour.
Detailing Mr Hancock’s past breach of the code after failing to declare an interest in his sister’s company after it was awarded NHS contractor status, the senior Labour MP said: “News reports today suggest that he has now failed to declare that he was engaged in a relationship with someone who he personally appointed at taxpayers’ expense to serve as an adviser, and subsequently a non-executive director, at the Department of Health and Social Care.
“Such a failure would appear to be a further breach of the ministerial code, which in these circumstances should surely result in his removal from office.
“If you are not prepared to act on your own initiative as Prime Minister, I would urge you to instruct your independent adviser to immediately investigate the Health Secretary’s conduct and his apparent breach of the ministerial code.
“Any documents, correspondence and the findings of this investigation should be published in full.”
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said he has “every confidence” in the Health Secretary.
Speaking after a vaccine summit in London, Mr Zahawi told reporters: “I have every confidence in Matt Hancock.”
Asked if he was disappointed in Mr Hancock’s behaviour, he said: “I’ve said everything I’m going to say on it. He’s apologised. He’s focusing on making sure that we get this (vaccine) sprint, this big sprint up to the 19th of July.”
Asked if it makes it harder for the public to follow the rules: “The Secretary of State has apologised and has said everything he needs to say and the Prime Minister has full confidence in his Secretary of State and considers the matter closed.”
