Politics
Liam O'Dell
Sep 26, 2021
Save for a few contributions in the Commons and some general social media posts, former health secretary Matt Hancock appears to have been keeping a relatively low profile after he resigned from the cabinet following the release of CCTV footage of him kissing his personal aide Gina Coladangelo.
The smooch sparked controversy after it apparently took place on 6 May, back when Covid-19 restrictions like social distancing measures were still in place. Hancock was accused of having an affair, and left both his wife and his cabinet job.
However, the West Suffolk MP seems to be ready to face the public once more, as he released a video of him walking round Haverhill in his constituency chatting to people on the high street.
It gets off to an awkward start, as a woman touches his arm and cheek before saying: “It’s so good to see you … I think you’re brilliant.
“Thank you, thank you. We’ve got through it, haven’t we, and we’re coming out the other side,” a sheepish Hancock replies.
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Other greats from the 50-second video include a solid fist bump with a business owner and an over-enthusiastic response to the words “infection control”.
The video then rounds off with Hancock with his back to the camera – certainly not for the first time – at a food stall.
“It’s nice to be out and about,” he tells the person behind the counter. “You take it for granted.”
Unfortunately for Hancock, Twitter users still haven’t forgotten what happened in June, and the video has been heavily ridiculed online:
@MattHancock Absolutely inspiring as ever Matt, nice to see you getting back into the job 🙏🏻 https://t.co/2JmC26pIyB— Lucky Man🇬🇧🇪🇺 (blue tick pending) (@Lucky Man🇬🇧🇪🇺 (blue tick pending)) 1632587654
@MattHancock https://t.co/JNqifFKeI3— Angela (@Angela) 1632589689
I’ve seen this posted about 200 times but I can’t bring myself to watch it I know it’s going to be massively chring… https://t.co/3IHNzLmEGM— 🏴☠️ Geoff Barrow 🏴☠️ (@🏴☠️ Geoff Barrow 🏴☠️) 1632643193
Alan Partridge’s new series is a bit short on laughs! #accidentalpartridge https://t.co/7HI1xnRo58— John Hodge #JOHNSONOUT #FBPE (@John Hodge #JOHNSONOUT #FBPE) 1632642861
My favourite is the Not Keen Lady saying "got to keep positive" and Hannerz doesn't know what to do so just backs a… https://t.co/1GtGYaCxiV— Sooz Kempner (@Sooz Kempner) 1632642848
“Coming out the other side” https://t.co/SUCoUUlaLq— Marina Hyde (@Marina Hyde) 1632638976
How is this somehow harder to watch than the CCTV video https://t.co/OTFPpzSW42— Alan White (@Alan White) 1632638563
This is too much. Howling with laughter watching it 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/8b6SOdbr5L— Andrew Greaves / @TourDeGreaves 🚴♂️ (@Andrew Greaves / @TourDeGreaves 🚴♂️) 1632640853
And comparisons to Alan Partridge and The Thick Of It soon followed:
@ScrtDrugAddict @MattHancock Its Alan Partridge MP on walkabout 😱— Colette Kelleher (@Colette Kelleher) 1632603155
@MattHancock Alan Partridge springs to mind…— melraunch (@melraunch) 1632588621
@MattHancock I haven’t read the replies but I’m guessing Partridge may have already been mentioned.— Dan Harris (@Dan Harris) 1632639580
@MattHancock The modern day alan partridge. Wish I got to see him!— Ryan Scott (@Ryan Scott) 1632589111
@MattHancock One for @AccidentalP if it wasn't so stage managed.— HT 😬 (@HT 😬) 1632601920
always enjoy watching a new Alan Partridge video on a Sunday morning https://t.co/CBmu5Xc21s— Calli Kitson (@Calli Kitson) 1632639714
Are we absolutely sure this isn't Alan Partridge though? https://t.co/OxSqJiGQKI— Zoe 👵🏻 (@Zoe 👵🏻) 1632618627
I'm thinking... Partridge https://t.co/dtFtjUWX0N— Politics For Oll-y (@Politics For Oll-y) 1632604647
@MattHancock The Thick of It is back!— Silkie Carlo (@Silkie Carlo) 1632588008
Sadly, we are yet to find a video from Hancock which doesn’t make us cringe.
Top 100
The Conversation (0)
x