Steerpike Steerpike

Hancock and Gove’s cringeworthy Covid love-in

(Photo: Getty)

Last night it seemed as if the Matt Hancock WhatsApp messages released by the Telegraph couldn’t get any worse, after the paper published texts showing Hancock’s realtime reaction to his rule-breaking affair being exposed. 


Yet somehow new depths have been plumbed in Hancock’s correspondence today. For the paper has published texts between Matt Hancock and Michael Gove. 

Despite some friction between the pair – with Hancock at one point fearing Gove was gunning for his job – the published messages show that the two had a remarkably (some might say pathologically) close relationship.

In one exchange from 2021, Hancock texts Gove before a meeting asking what they were trying to achieve. Gove replies that ‘Letting people express concerns in a therapeutic environment before you and I decide the policy’. In response, Hancock adds: ‘You are glorious.’

Six days later Gove appears to message Hancock entirely out of the blue to declare ‘I ❤️you’.

Image: Telegraph

It’s a wonder they got anything done…

Unfortunately the back-slapping doesn’t end there.

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in