NEWS STORY : Matt Hancock Denies Allegations of Blocking Disability Centre
STORY
Matt Hancock, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has denied allegations that he sought to block the construction of a disability centre in the constituency of James Daly, the Conservative MP for Bury North after he failed to support him in a Parliamentary vote. Daly said that he was “disappointed” to hear of the discussion on WhatsApp between Hancock and his political advisor, but had been unaware of the situation before the leak of the messages which have been published by the Daily Telegraph.
It is alleged that Hancock’s advisor, Allan Nixon, said:
“Thoughts on me suggesting to Chief’s spads that they give us a list of the 2019 intakes thinking of rebelling. Eg James wants his Learning Disability Hub in Bury – whips call him up and say Health team want to work with him to deliver this but that’ll be off the table if he rebels.”
It is alleged that Hancock replied “100%”, but Hancock said in a statement:
“What’s being accused here never happened, demonstrating the story is wrong, and showing why such a biased, partial approach to the evidence is a bad mistake, driven by those with a vested interest and an axe to grind”.
Sir Jake Berry, the former Chair of the Conservative Party, said:
“This is an absolute disgrace. Hancock should be dragged to the bar of the House of Commons first thing tomorrow morning to be questioned about this”.
RESOURCES
Statement Made by Matt Hancock
News Story – Matt Hancock WhatsApp messages leaked
EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS
