UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock accused of alleged secret affair with aide (Report)

Hancock has refused to comment on CCTV footage purportedly showing him in an embrace with an adviser.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been accused of having a secret affair with a close aide and lobbyist who is a taxpayer-funded adviser to the UK government. According to The Sun, the health secretary was caught on camera reportedly kissing his adviser, Gina Coladangelo. The photos published by the newspaper were apparently taken on 6 May. Ms Coladangelo has reportedly been in the role of executive director at the Department of Health and Social Care since November, despite her appointment not being noted anywhere on the public record. Transport secretary Grant Shapps told media this morning that he will not comment on Matt Hancock's affair, telling Sky News that it was an "entirely personal" matter. He said:

First of all, I think the actual issue is entirely personal for Matt Hancock. In terms of rules, anyone who has been appointed has to go through an incredibly rigorous process in government, so whatever the rules are, the rules will have to be followed. There are no short cuts to that, as anyone who has had anything to do with the appointments system in the Civil Service knows. There are very strict rules in place.

https://twitter.com/TheSun/status/1408316694905360384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1408316694905360384%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2021%2F06%2F25%2Fmatt-hancock-refuses-comment-pictures-appearing-show-affair%2F Mr Hancock and his wife have three children together. Ms Coladangelo is also married with three children.