British Minister for Health resigns for non-compliance with health rules

British Health Minister Matt Hancock, a key figure in government action against the Covid-19 pandemic, announced his resignation on Saturday after the tabloid’s publication The Sun, of an image showing him kissing a counselor. Married and father of three children, Matt Hancock embraced in this shot Gina Coladangelo, a longtime friend.

Braces prohibited by health regulations

But it is not the infidelity which is reproached to the minister. Surveillance cameras surprised his gesture on May 6, when braces were banned due to health rules against Covid. Matt Hancock had apologized on Friday and the British head of government, Boris Johnson, had initially given him his support, deeming the subject “closed”.

But the Sun hit the nail on the head on Saturday, posting surveillance camera video footage on its website and calls for Matt Hancock’s resignation have multiplied, especially from opposition parties. The main one, the Labor Party, had also questioned a possible conflict of interest in the appointment to the ministry of Gina Coladangelo, a lobbyist Matt Hancock has known from university and who currently heads communications for a chain of shops founded by her husband.

“We have to be honest”

“We owe it to ourselves to be honest with the people who have sacrificed so much during this pandemic, when we disappointed them like I did by breaking the guidelines,” wrote Matt Hancock in his resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reiterating his apologies.

“You should leave your post very proud of what you have achieved, not only in tackling the pandemic but also before the Covid-19 hits us,” Boris Johnson replied, saying he was “sorry” for his departure. of the government.