Key revelations from leak of Hancock WhatsApps
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Here are some of the key revelations from the “lockdown files” investigation: – Claims that Mr Hancock did not follow advice from chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty in April 2020 to test all residents going into English care homes. – Social care minister Helen Whately told Mr Hancock the testing system was “definitely working” after she managed to secure a test “just” 50 miles from where she lived. – Ms Whately also appeared to warn Mr Hancock in October 2020 that restrictions on care home visits were “inhumane” – but the rules remained in place for months. When Mr Hancock wrote to him that teaching unions were “absolute arses”, the then-education secretary replied: “I know they really really do just hate work.” – Then-prime minister Boris Johnson was concerned he would be criticised for “blinking too soon” on ordering a second national lockdown in November 2020 after apparently being warned by a scientist that the decision was based on out-of-date data.
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Matt Hancock: What are claims and counterclaims over leaked Covid messages?
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