UK health minister Matt Hancock ‘sorry’ for breaching coronavirus guidelines by kissing aide
- Photographs published in Britain’s Sun newspaper showed Hancock kissing the woman – a friend hired for a taxpayer-funded role – in his office
- ‘I have let people down and am very sorry,’ Hancock, who is married, said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he considered the matter closed
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock apologised on Friday for breaching coronavirus social distancing guidelines after pictures appeared of him embracing his top aide, and the prime minister said he believed the matter was now closed.
Photographs published on the front page of Britain’s Sun newspaper showed Hancock kissing the woman – a friend hired for a taxpayer-funded role – in his office.
Hancock, 42, has been at the centre of the government’s fight against the pandemic, often appearing on television to tell the public to follow rules and to defend his department against criticism of its response to the crisis.
“I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances,” he said.
“I have let people down and am very sorry. I remain focused on working to get the country out of this pandemic, and would be grateful for privacy for my family on this personal matter.”
