Matt Hancock expressed concern that a flagship Rishi Sunak policy was contributing to the spread of Covid-19 as the latest set of leaked messages reveal how the pair were at odds during the pandemic.
The details emerged in the latest tranche of leaked messages from the former health secretary, published by the Daily Telegraph.
The messages show Mr Hancock attempting to get the support of Cabinet Secretary Simon Case in challenging the stance of the then-Chancellor and others over certain pandemic-era rules, with the top civil servant – who is required to be politically neutral – complaining about “pure Conservative ideology” on the part of one senior minister. READ MORE: Man, 42, dies after being hit by digger as driver arrested In one message, Mr Hancock also accuses Mr Sunak of trying to “show ankle” to the “hard right” over his Covid-19 stance.
They also reveal Mr Hancock had serious concerns about the Treasury’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme designed to support restaurants, dubbing it the “eat out to help the virus get about”.