Matt Hancock resigns as health secretary amid scandal

The Sunday papers report heavily on the resignation of health secretary Matt Hancock following the kissing scandal with aide Gina Coladangelo.

Matt finished: Health Secretary out after Sun scoop

The Sun – the paper that broke the story – labels the former minister a “hypocrite” over his breach of social distancing guidance. The paper reports that Matt Hancock and his wife have spilt following the revelations. 

The front splash features a picture of Matt Hancock and his aide. Also pictured is the late Diana, Princess of Wales as the paper looks ahead to mark what would have been her 60th birthday. 

Hancock quits his job  – and his marriage

The Mail on Sunday focuses on Matt Hancock’s decision to leave his marriage as well as his job. A friend of the former health secretary told the paper that Mr Hancock and Gina Colandangelo were “in love”. The friend said: “It all started in May, but it is serious.” Meanwhile, Sajid Javid has taken up the position as the new health secretary. 

Matt Hancock’s wife of 15-years is pictured on the paper’s front page as the paper reports he told her on Thursday that their marriage was over. 

Humiliated Hancock quits

The Sunday Times reports the details of Matt Hancock’s separation from his wife have “enraged” party members in his West Suffolk constituency. The paper adds that Tory insiders predict he might be deselected as an MP at the next elections. According to the paper, Hancock is facing an investigation after using a personal email account rather than an official one during the pandemic. 

A picture of Matt Hancock from a video he posted on Twitter announcing he was resigning features on the front splash. 

Gone: Matt Hancock quits after day of humiliation 

The Observer says senior Tories had been noticeably silent over Mr Hancock’s future. The paper says this was because they wanted to gauge the strength of public opinion among their own constituents. Matt Hancock’s resignation, which he reportedly started considering on Friday, is described as a “massive blow” to Boris Johnson’s authority after the PM initially stood by him. 

The Observer uses a picture of the former health secretary from the announcement video on their front page. 

Hancock quits: ‘ Those of us that make these rules have got to stick by them’ 

But, the Sunday Telegraph says many Tory MPs broke ranks on Saturday to publicly call for Mr Hancock to resign. Sources told the paper that Sir Graham Brady was preparing to tell the chief whip that Mr Hancock must go.

The Sunday Telegraph says the health secretary gave his resignation statement by video last night – a still from the video features on the front page. 

Matt FINISHED

The Sunday Mirror says that in the end it was the fact that “his Tory pals deserted him” that sealed Matt Hancock’s fate. The paper’s headline reads “Matt finished” a similar tone to the Sun newspaper. 

The paper uses the image, first published by the Sun, of Matt Hancock and his aide caught kissing from the CCTV footage. 

Hancock forced to quit 

The Sunday Express says Mr Hancock was “forced to quit” as it highlights the fact that the “furious backlash” against him included threats by Tory party donors that they could pull their funding.

The paper’s main picture is of Princess Diana as it looks at her life and legacy ahead of what would have been her 60th birthday. 

Paper roundup 

Matt Hancock scandal

A “close friend” of Mr Hancock’s tells the Sunday Times his resignation had become “inevitable”.

“Matt had been in charge of telling people they can’t hug loved-ones at funerals – while he’s been in a corridor snogging. It’s indefensible,” the source says.

An editorial in the Mail on Sunday says Mr Hancock undoubtedly did good work, but had he remained health secretary, millions more would have ceased to take his Covid warnings seriously.

The New Statesman says that, despite Mr Hancock’s resignation, “serious questions remain” – including whether his aide’s appointment to a taxpayer-funded role represented a conflict of interest.

Back pages

Euro 2020: Wales v Denmark 

Gareth Bale – head in hands after Wales were knocked out of Euro 2020 – feature on many back pages.

Wales Online describes how a promising start was brought to an abrupt halt at the hands of a “rampaging” Denmark.

The Sunday Mirror says not even “the brilliance and passion of their talisman”, Bale, could fire Wales to the next level.

For the Star, his side’s 4-0 defeat amounted to a “Danish Pasting”.

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