Former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock found himself in an uncomfortable position during a recent podcast interview, where he faced pointed questions about his personal life and the implications of his past actions. The conversation with podcaster Steven Bartlett delved into Hancock’s affair with aide Gina Coladangelo, which became a significant public scandal in 2021 when CCTV footage of the two kissing in his ministerial office was leaked.
This revelation not only tarnished Hancock’s political career but also sparked outrage among the public, who adhered to strict social distancing measures while he conducted an affair. Both Hancock and Coladangelo were married at the time, leading to the dissolution of their respective marriages. The couple remains together today, living in London and attending high-profile events despite the controversy that surrounded their relationship.
Hancock has since attempted to re-establish his public image, appearing on reality television shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2022 and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in the following year. His appearance on Bartlett’s podcast, titled Diary of a CEO, did not go as smoothly as he had hoped.
Confrontation Over Past Actions
During the podcast, Bartlett challenged Hancock on his previous guidance to the public regarding social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted the stark contrast between Hancock’s advice against casual sex and his own actions, stating, “You warned against casual sex, advising the public to stick to well-established relationships.” This line of questioning visibly unsettled Hancock, who interrupted, asking, “Do you think you can ask the question in a little bit of a more respectful way?”
Despite Hancock’s defensiveness, Bartlett persisted, highlighting the contradiction between Hancock’s public persona and private actions. The former health secretary eventually acknowledged, “I resigned because I broke the social distancing guidelines.” He clarified that while the guidelines were not legally binding, they were the principles he had advocated.
Hancock expressed regret over the public nature of his relationship with Coladangelo, stating, “Anyone who’s been through this knows how difficult it is… doing that in public is incredibly painful.” He also mentioned that he was working to mend his relationship with his ex-wife, Martha Hoyer Millar, after a marriage that lasted 15 years.
Recent Criticism from the Covid Inquiry
Hancock’s current public scrutiny has been intensified by a recent report from the COVID-19 inquiry, which criticized the handling of the pandemic by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet. The inquiry’s findings, published earlier this week, described the government’s response as “too little, too late,” attributing an estimated 23,000 deaths during the first wave to this mismanagement.
The inquiry also raised concerns about Hancock’s reliability within the government, labeling him as “untrustworthy” and accusing him of “overpromising and underdelivering.” At 47 years old, Hancock has taken a step back into the family business, BBS, a marketing and data management company, where he serves as Managing Director.
Despite the recent revelations and criticism regarding his professional conduct during the pandemic, Hancock’s financial situation remains robust, with a reported net worth of approximately £5 million. His ongoing public engagements and attempts to reshape his image indicate that he is not retreating from the limelight, even as he navigates the complexities of his past.
