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Matt Hancock appears to have been snubbed by the prime minister-in-waiting as he attempted to greet him following his victory this afternoon.
Rishi Sunak has been crowned leader of the Conservative party after he was the only candidate to reach the required number of MPs in the leadership contest sparked by Liz Truss’s resignation.
A crowd had gathered outside Tory HQ to congratulate the former chancellor as he arrived following the announcement and he shook hands with and received hugs from a number of MPs and staffers.
But former Cabinet minister Matt Hancock appeared to get brutally ignored by the Tory leader, who blanked him before moving on to the next person in line.
Mr Sunak and Mr Hancock worked together for over a year after both being appointed to Boris Johnson’s Cabinet.
In June 2021, Hancock was forced to resign when he was caught breaking his own social distancing rules.
Footage emerged of him passionately embracing his advisor Gina Coladangelo, with whom he was having an extramarital affair.
Rishi Sunak wins Tory leadership race: What happens next?
Rishi Sunak will become the new UK Prime Minister after winning the ruling Conservative Party’s leadership contest triggered by Liz Truss’ resignation last week.
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Read the latest Rishi Sunak news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
The ex-health secretary resigned the day after the footage went public, later releasing a statement that said ‘those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them’.
The former health secretary was left looking visibly dejected as he appeared to have been shunned (Picture: Getty)
The former minister has not made a return to frontbench politics since the embarrassing incident.
Earlier today, Hancock tweeted: ‘Huge congratulations to @RishiSunak. He is exactly the Prime Minister we need. All of those who know Rishi well know he has the integrity, ability and experience to lead our country in these troubled times.’
Mr Sunak’s first speech after becoming Tory leader was criticised as being ‘too short and robotic’.
He said: ‘I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
‘It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to.
He will officially become PM tomorrow morning after visiting King Charles after Ms Truss.
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The former health secretary appeared to get brutally ignored by the Tory leader.