Is Matt Hancock being lined up as the ‘fall guy‘ over coronavirus? That’s the suggestion being made today following a number of stories questioning the Health Secretary’s performance. The most striking of which is the Telegraph splash on a Downing Street source describing Hancock’s 100,000 test target as ‘irrational’, ‘arbitrary’ and a mistaken response to media pressure. The paper also quotes a former cabinet minister questioning Hancock’s general approach: ‘There is a view growing in Cabinet that Matt has gone off on one – a sort of Messiah complex, as one described it to me’. Ministers are now suggesting Hancock could be moved from Health before any public inquiry begins.
Hancock appears to be on track to miss his 100,000 target in just over a week’s time
Officially, the Prime Minister is sticking by Hancock with a No. 10 spokesman coming to his defence today. In a show of strength, the Health Secretary is also leading today’s press conference. But
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.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in