Matt Hancock is in line for a £16,000 ‘golden goodbye’ even though he resigned for breaching covid rules.
The former Health Secretary, who quit the Cabinet yesterday, is legally entitled to the payment despite kissing aide Gina Coladangelo in the Health Department’s London headquarters.
Images showed Hancock in an embrace with aide Coladangelo last month, and he tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister after facing pressure to quit.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Hancock said: “The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis.
“I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this. I also need to be with my children at this time.”
However, despite quitting, the Mirror has reported Hancock could be in line for a chunky severance payment.
Ministers who leave their office are entitled to a quarter of their ministerial salary, and with Hancock earning £67,505 as Secretary of State he could in theory land £16,876.
It is unclear whether he will accept such a payment.
Former chancellor and home secretary Sajid Javid will replace Hancock.
Javid tweeted: “Honoured to have been asked to serve as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at this critical time.
“I look forward to contributing to our fight against the pandemic, and serving my country from the Cabinet once again.”
In response to Hancock’s letter, the Prime Minister wrote: “You should leave office very proud of what you have achieved – not just in tackling the pandemic, but even before Covid-19 struck us.”
And he said: “Above all, it has been your task to deal with a challenge greater than that faced by any of your predecessors, and in fighting Covid you have risen to that challenge – with the abundant energy, intelligence, and determination that are your hallmark.”
