By Linge
Matt Hancock, Britain’s Health Secretary who was caught smooching an aide and breaking his own social-distancing rules this week, resigned his post Saturday despite the continued support of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“Those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them,” a penitent Hancock said in a video he posted to Twitter. “And that’s why I’ve got to resign.”
The married heath minister came under fire Friday when The Sun printed CCTV images that showed him kissing and fondling Gina Coladangelo, 43, a longtime friend he hired last year with taxpayers’ money.
The images were leaked by a whistleblower who said they were taken inside the Department of Health’s London headquarters on May 6 – when Hancock’s own pandemic rules banning physical contact between members of different households were still in effect.
Both Hancock, 43, and Colagelo are married, and each has three children.
“I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologize to my family and loved ones for putting them through this,” Hancock wrote in a letter of resignation addressed to Johnson. “I also need [to] be with my children at this time.”
He has made no reference to Martha Hancock, his wife of 15 years, in his apologies.
Johnson, who was said to have “considered the matter closed” Friday, continued to support him as he accepted Hancock’s resignation, BBC News reported.
“You should be immensely proud of your service,” Johnson wrote. “I am grateful for your support and believe that your contribution to public service is far from over.”
Hancock, a member of Parliament representing West Suffolk, will retain his seat in the House of Commons.
