'SLAP IN THE FACE'
Grieving Covid families write to Boris Johnson after he refuses to sack Matt Hancock over affair
GRIEVING families who have lost loved ones to coronavirus have written to the Prime Minister after he refused to sack Matt Hancock in the wake of his secret affair being exposed.
Bereaved Brits have slammed Boris Johnson's decision to keep the Health Secretary as a "slap in the face" to the thousands of families of Covid victims.
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Despite preaching the importance of social distancing and lockdown rules during the pandemic, the father-of-three cheated on his wife with his closest aide Gina Coladangelo, 43, who he hired last year with taxpayers’ money.
But Hannah Brady, who lost her father Shaun, 55, to the virus, has hit out at Mr Hancock and said he "has treated bereaved families with contempt".
She believes the 42-year-old should have already been struck off for his failures and is infuriated that the PM "considers the matter closed".
Hannah, who has written to Boris on behalf of the group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, told the : "Up and down the country, bereaved families have been doing everything they can to follow the rules and prevent further loss of life.
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"But it’s clear Matt Hancock thought that 'hands, face, space' was a rule for everyone else.
"For bereaved families to know that the man responsible for public health in this country, was ignoring the rules whilst we were unable to hug friends and family at our loved ones funerals, is heartbreaking."
The heartbroken daughter continued, "For Boris Johnson to keep him in his position is a slap in the face to bereaved families.
"He himself described Hancock as “f***ing hopeless’ over a year ago, even before he went on to disastrously handle PPE, care homes, Test and Trace and ultimately oversee the deaths of 150,000 people.
"Hancock has treated bereaved families with contempt. He's got to go and he should have gone a long time ago."
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Mr Hancock has been under fire over the last year amid PPE and care home rows, "chumocracy" claims, and suggestions he bungled his handling of the bug.
Hannah, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said his continued employment was "an embarrassment to the Government".
Rivka Gottlieb, whose lost her father Michael, 73, to the virus, seconded Hannah's stance, saying: "It’s just extraordinary he’s still in the post.
"With this story he's lost any shred of credibility he had left after what was already a highly questionable performance. The question now is why would anyone take him seriously?
"It really does feel like another slap in the face. I think I speak for a lot of bereaved families when I say that.
"I have no faith whatsoever in this Government. It’s no surprise to me that Johnson accepted Hancock’s apology and at the same time it’s a bitter disappointment."
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The moving letter compiled by the families reads, "Our position of neutrality regarding ministerial conduct is no longer tenable, and neither is Matt Hancock's position as Health Secretary.
"If Matt Hancock is unable to find the decency to do the right thing and resign his position, it is paramount that you relieve him from it."
Mr Hancock, 42, and millionaire lobbyist Gina were caught on camera in a steamy clinch at his Whitehall office.
He was seen kissing her at the Department of Health’s London HQ during office hours last month as the mutant strain began spreading.
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And today, Mr Hancock apologised for his actions, saying: "I accept that I breached the social distancing guidance in these circumstances.
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"I have let people down and am very sorry.
"I remain focused on working to get the country out of this pandemic, and would be grateful for privacy for my family on this personal matter."
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