Matt Hancock has been slammed by Twitter users over an awkward video with a Warrington MP candidate.
Wendy Maisey, who is standing for Warrington North for the Conservative Party, shared the clip online of the pair standing outside the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
However, Mr Hancock has been critiqued by social media users branding him a 'golden retriever in disguise' and 'weird'.
Ms Maisey is filmed standing side-by-side with the Health Secretary as she faces and speaks to the camera while Mr Hancock is captured standing in close proximity to the candidate.
In the 56-second clip shared to Twitter, Ms Maisey said: "It's been absolutely fantastic being here this morning with Matt Hancock", where she gestures to her left and then takes a step away from him.
She adds: "My second visit this week actually seeing some of the amazing work staff are doing here at the hospital in quite incredible circumstances.
"We've talked a little bit about the space capacity etc...so..." she said, before allowing Mr Hancock the chance to speak.
The Department of Health figure, still looking at Ms Maisey, said: "Well, it's been good hasn't it to see the increase in space there is because of the investment we've been putting in, and also we talked to the staff and patients about what more is needed.
"I just really hope you can be that strong voice for Warrington in parliament, making the case for the hospital for everything else that's needed in Warrington".
Ms Maisey responds: "Absolutely, it's one of my six point plans..." before sharing a plea for the general public to vote for her on Thursday, December 12.
Mr Hancock finally turns to face the camera 51 seconds in.
The video has been shared widely on social media, with one user posting: "His proximity to your leg is just further proof that matt hancock is a golden retriever in disguise".
Others said: "Lol. This is so bad", "So weird", with another responding: "That poor woman, backing away as far as she can!"
The clip has so far has 872.1k views.
