Save for a few contributions in the Commons and some general social media posts, former health secretary Matt Hancock appears to have been keeping a relatively low profile after he resigned from the cabinet following the release of CCTV footage of him kissing his personal aide Gina Coladangelo.
The smooch sparked controversy after it apparently took place on 6 May, back when Covid-19 restrictions like social distancing measures were still in place. Hancock was accused of having an affair, and left both his wife and his cabinet job.
However, the West Suffolk MP seems to be ready to face the public once more, as he released a video of him walking round Haverhill in his constituency chatting to people on the high street.
It gets off to an awkward start, as a woman touches his arm and cheek before saying: “It’s so good to see you … I think you’re brilliant.
“Thank you, thank you. We’ve got through it, haven’t we, and we’re coming out the other side,” a sheepish Hancock replies.
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Other greats from the 50-second video include a solid fist bump with a business owner and an over-enthusiastic response to the words “infection control”.
The video then rounds off with Hancock with his back to the camera – certainly not for the first time – at a food stall.
“It’s nice to be out and about,” he tells the person behind the counter. “You take it for granted.”
Unfortunately for Hancock, Twitter users still haven’t forgotten what happened in June, and the video has been heavily ridiculed online:
Absolutely inspiring as ever Matt, nice to see you getting back into the job 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/2JmC26pIyB
— Lucky Man🇬🇧🇪🇺 (blue tick pending) (@luckyma_man) September 25, 2021
— Angela (@angelajunor1) September 25, 2021
I’ve seen this posted about 200 times but I can’t bring myself to watch it I know it’s going to be massively chringe
— 🏴☠️ Geoff Barrow 🏴☠️ (@jetfury) September 26, 2021
I just can’t push play. https://t.co/a7LbqdzlHw
Alan Partridge’s new series is a bit short on laughs! #accidentalpartridge https://t.co/7HI1xnRo58
— John Hodge (@johnphodge) September 26, 2021
My favourite is the Not Keen Lady saying "got to keep positive" and Hannerz doesn't know what to do so just backs away giving thumbs ups and saying "good stuff". https://t.co/jEANkZUhoy
— Sooz Kempner (@SoozUK) September 26, 2021
“Coming out the other side” https://t.co/SUCoUUlaLq
— Marina Hyde (@MarinaHyde) September 26, 2021
How is this somehow harder to watch than the CCTV video https://t.co/OTFPpzSW42
— Alan White (@aljwhite) September 26, 2021
This is too much. Howling with laughter watching it 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/8b6SOdbr5L
— Andrew Greaves / @TourDeGreaves 🚴♂️ (@AndrewGreaves84) September 26, 2021
Matt Hancock’s “bouncing back” video will make your Saturday night complete https://t.co/7iAL8vYFMh
— Luke Turner (@LukeTurnerEsq) September 25, 2021
And comparisons to Alan Partridge and The Thick Of It soon followed:
Its Alan Partridge MP on walkabout 😱
— Colette Kelleher (@ColetteKelleher) September 25, 2021
Alan Partridge springs to mind…
— melraunch (@melraunch1) September 25, 2021
I haven’t read the replies but I’m guessing Partridge may have already been mentioned.
— Dan Harris (@DanHarr67278285) September 26, 2021
The modern day alan partridge. Wish I got to see him!
— Ryan Scott (@Ryan11Scott) September 25, 2021
One for @AccidentalP if it wasn't so stage managed.
— HT 😬 (@AitchTeaDrinker) September 25, 2021
always enjoy watching a new Alan Partridge video on a Sunday morning https://t.co/CBmu5Xc21s
— Calli Kitson (@callikitson) September 26, 2021
Are we absolutely sure this isn't Alan Partridge though? https://t.co/OxSqJiGQKI
— Zoe 👵🏻 (@jesuiszoe) September 26, 2021
I'm thinking... Partridge https://t.co/dtFtjUWX0N
— Olly 🐝 (@OllyVanGaal) September 25, 2021
The Thick of It is back!
— Silkie Carlo (@silkiecarlo) September 25, 2021
Sadly, we are yet to find a video from Hancock which doesn’t make us cringe.
