THE SUN revealed yesterday CCTV footage showing Matt Hancock sharing a passionate kiss with his aide Gina Coladangelo.
Pressure has been mounting for the Health Secretary to resign as he was branded a hypocrite after he was recorded kissing the 43-year- old mum-of-three, breaching his own social distancing rules.
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Will Matt Hancock resign as Health Secretary?
The Health Secretary, 42, has refused to resign following the scandal.
Instead he said he "has let people down and is very sorry."
But public and political pressure for Mr Hancock to step down is mounting as MPs warned of another "Barnard Castle moment".
MP Duncan Baker, who represents North Norfolk, became the first serving Conservative to openly call for him to quit.
He said: ''In my view, people in high public office and great positions of responsibility should act with the appropriate morals and ethics that come with that role.
"Matt Hancock – on a number of measures – has fallen short of that.''
Conservative MPs said the PM should âpull the plugâ and slammed the health secretaryâs âhypocriticalâ behaviour.
A Cabinet source told The Telegraph that while Boris was currently âstanding byâ Mr Hancock, âit could unravel pretty quicklyâ.
The source added: "If there is a Barnard Castle moment, he is going to be under quite a lot of pressure.â
It has been reported the PM's Cabinet reshuffle could be brought forward in a bid to give Hancock a "dignified exit."
What has Matt Hancock said about his affair with Gina Coladangelo?
On June 25, 2021, Matt Hancock admitted he had "broken social distancing rules" and apologised for his actions.
In his very short statement, he said: "I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances.
"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."
He made no public apology to his wife of 15 years, Martha, 44, with whom he shares three children.
She has been seen out in public still wearing her wedding ring since the affair was exposed.
What has Boris Johnson said about Matt Hancock's affair with aide?
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has accepted his apology and "considers the matter closed", Downing Street said.
A No10 spokesman said: "The Health Secretary set out that he accepted that he breached the social distancing guidelines.
"Obviously he has apologised for that. The Prime Minister has accepted the health secretary's apology and considers the matter closed."
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