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Former health secretary Matt Hancock played a key role in the UK’s response to the COVID pandemic – and his decisions will today be scrutinised by the official inquiry.

Mr Hancock was a familiar face at the regular press conferences that took place during that period, giving updates to the public about social distancing measures, the state of the NHS and the vaccine programme.

In 2021, he was forced to resign after he admitted he broke the government’s own coronavirus guidance to pursue an affair with an aide.

Today it is his turn to give evidence to the COVID inquiry.

He will follow a string of high-profile witnesses who have already shared their experience of the pandemic with inquiry chair Baroness Hallett, including Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, Lord Simon Stevens, who was the chief executive of the NHS at the time, and former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Mr Hancock has already featured heavily in the testimonies of the witnesses who have given evidence to the inquiry so far.

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A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said he has “supported the inquiry throughout and will respond to all questions when he gives his evidence”.

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Former NHS CEO Lord Stevens made this assessment of Mr Hancock when he appeared before the COVID inquiry at the beginning of November.

“The secretary of state for health and social care took the position that in this situation he – rather than, say, the medical profession or the public – should ultimately decide who should live and who should die,” he said in a written statement to the inquiry.

“Fortunately, this horrible dilemma never crystallised.”

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Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live’

However, although Lord Stevens suggested that Mr Hancock wanted too many powers in his capacity as health secretary, he did add that “for the most part” the former cabinet minister could be trusted.

“There were occasional moments of tension and flashpoints, which are probably inevitable during the course of a 15-month pandemic but I was brought up always to look to the best in people,” he said.

‘Nuclear levels of over-confidence’

The day before Lord Stevens gave evidence, the COVID inquiry heard from Helen MacNamara, who was deputy cabinet secretary during the pandemic.

She told the inquiry Mr Hancock showed “nuclear levels” of confidence at the start of the COVID pandemic and “regularly” told colleagues in Downing Street things “they later discovered weren’t true”.

For example, Ms MacNamara said the former health secretary would say things were under control or being sorted in meetings, only for it to emerge in days or weeks that “was not in fact the case”.

She also recalled a “jarring” incident where she told Mr Hancock that it must have been difficult to be health secretary during a pandemic, to which he responded by miming playing cricket, saying: “They bowl them at me, I knock them away” during the first lockdown.

‘Lied his way through this and killed people’

There is clearly no love lost between Mr Hancock and Mr Cummings, who told the inquiry that he repeatedly called for Boris Johnson to sack him.

Mr Cummings alleged that the ex-health secretary “lied his way through this and killed people and dozens and dozens of people have seen it”.

In a message sent to Mr Johnson in May 2020, Mr Cummings said: “You need to think through timing of binning Hancock. There’s no way the guy can stay. He’s lied his way through this and killed people and dozens and dozens of people have seen it.”

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COVID: No 10 in ‘complete chaos’

In August 2020, he wrote again: “I also must stress I think leaving Hancock in post is a big mistake – he is a proven liar who nobody believes or [should] believe on anything, and we face going into autumn crisis with the c**t in charge of NHS still.”

Mr Cummings also echoed Ms MacNamara’s accusation that the former health secretary told colleagues things that later were discovered not to be true, saying he “sowed chaos” by continuing to insist in March 2020 that people without symptoms of a dry cough and a temperature were unlikely to be suffering from coronavirus.

He also revealed that he purposefully excluded Mr Hancock from meetings because he could not be trusted.

Mark Sedwill wanted Hancock removed to ‘save lives and protect the NHS’

Messages exchanged by Lord Mark Sedwill, the former head of the Civil Service and Simon Case, the current cabinet secretary, revealed that Lord Sedwill wanted Mr Hancock removed as health secretary to “save lives and protect the NHS” – a play on the pandemic-era slogan at the time.

Lord Sedwill said this was “gallows humour” and that he did not use the work “sack” when speaking to Mr Johnson about his health secretary.

However, he did admit that Mr Johnson would nevertheless have been “under no illusions” about his feelings towards Mr Hancock.

‘He had a habit of saying things he didn’t have a basis for’

Sir Patrick Vallance, who was chief scientific adviser from 2018 to 2023, was another figure who claimed Mr Hancock would say things “he didn’t have a basis for”, which he attributed to “over-enthusiasm”.

He told the COVID inquiry: “I think he had a habit of saying things which he didn’t have a basis for and he would say them too enthusiastically too early, without the evidence to back them up, and then have to backtrack from them days later.

“I don’t know to what extent that was sort of over-enthusiasm versus deliberate – I think a lot of it was over-enthusiasm.”

Asked if this meant he “said things that weren’t true”, Sir Patrick replied: “Yes”.

‘I have a high opinion of Matt Hancock as a minister’

One COVID witness who did defend Mr Hancock was Michael Gove, who was minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster during the pandemic.

He told the inquiry that “too much was asked” of Mr Hancock’s department at the beginning of the pandemic.

“We should collectively have recognised that this was a health system crisis at an earlier point and taken on to other parts of government the responsibility for delivery that was being asked of DHSC [department for health and social care] at the time,” he said.

He added: “I have a high opinion of Matt Hancock as a minister.”

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Grenfell Tower will be demolished, government confirms

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Grenfell Tower will be demolished, government confirms

Grenfell Tower will be demolished, Angela Rayner has confirmed.

The demolition is expected to take “around two years” and be carried out “sensitively”, the government said.

The official announcement comes after the deputy prime minister met with campaigners to tell them of the decision on Wednesday evening – sparking an angry reaction.

Grenfell United has accused Ms Rayner of “ignoring” the voices of people who lost family in the fire in June 2017, which killed 72 people.

Read more: Grenfell Tower – what happens now?

The disaster was Britain’s deadliest residential fire since the Second World War and began a national reckoning over the safety and conditions of social housing and tower blocks.

There have been discussions over the years about how best to commemorate the tragedy.

Engineering experts have said that while the tower remains stable, and it is safe for people to live, work and study nearby, its condition will worsen over time and there is no realistic prospect of bringing it back into use.

In September last year, the public inquiry into Grenfell found “systematic dishonesty” of firms who made and sold cladding contributed to the horrific fire.

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Anger over Grenfell Tower plans

Why is Grenfell Tower being demolished?

In its announcement of the demolition, the government said Ms Rayner was told by engineers that the tower is “significantly damaged”.

While it “remains stable”, this is due to the supports put in place after the fire.

Engineers said it is also not “practicable” to keep many of the damaged storeys as part of a long-term memorial.

“Taking the engineering advice into account the deputy prime minister concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be deeply upsetting,” the government said.

Angela Rayner has confirmed that Grenfell Tower will be demolished. Pic: PA
Image:
Angela Rayner has confirmed that Grenfell Tower will be demolished. Pic: PA

How will the demolition take place?

The government says it wants to take the next steps “respectfully and carefully”, with continued support for the community around Grenfell.

It said no changes will take place before the eighth anniversary of the fire in June this year.

The next step is to find someone to carry out the demolition.

A “specialist contractor” will be found to come up with a “detailed plan” for taking down the tower.

The government estimates it will take around two years to “sensitively take down the tower through a process of careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping”.

Any leftover materials from the tower and its surrounding communal areas can be carefully removed and then returned as part of any memorial, if the community so chooses, according to the government.

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Community reaction

Ahead of the decision being made publicly, Ms Rayner wrote to families, survivors and surrounding residents to tell them of the planned demolition.

The government says it has “prioritised” engaging with the community, and that Ms Rayner has been offering to speak with them and listen to their views for several months. The deputy prime minister also met with community groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders.

These conversations have made it clear the tower “remains a sacred site” – however it is also clear “there is not a consensus about what should happen to it”.

The government said that for some the tower remains a “symbol of all they lost” and helps ensure “the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability”.

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The visibility of the tower also “helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost”.

But the announcement added that for some, the tower is a “painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community”.

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Major travel disruption in Greater Manchester after car crashes on rail lines and driver arrested

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Major travel disruption in Greater Manchester after car crashes on rail lines and driver arrested

There’s major travel disruption in Greater Manchester after a car smashed through a rail bridge and fell on the tracks.

The incident happened about 2am near Regent Road roundabout in Eccles, Salford.

A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to hospital with injuries that aren’t believed to be serious.

No other vehicles were involved.

The road reopened at 7.30am and pictures later showed the car being lifted away, but rail firms said problems were likely for much of the day.

Pic: Manchester Evening News
Image:
Pic: Manchester Evening News

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

Network Rail’s page on the incident said no trains would run through Eccles until the line is cleared.

It means services between Newton-le-Willows / Wigan North Western and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria will be cancelled, revised or diverted.

TransPennine Express services are not running between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.

People going between those cities are advised to travel via Warrington Central instead.

Northern trains are also affected between Liverpool and Manchester Airport, and Chester and Leeds to Manchester Victoria.

Transport for Wales routes from Chester / Llandudno to Manchester Airport / Manchester Oxford Road are impacted, as are Holyhead to Manchester Airport services.

Replacement buses are running in some areas and tickets are being accepted on other services.

Pic: Manchester Evening News
Image:
Pic: Manchester Evening News

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A Network Rail spokesperson said engineers were “assessing the situation in order to repair the damaged cables as quickly as possible” but the line was likely to stay closed for most of the day.

They added: “We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”

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Man who shook his partner’s toddler to death jailed for at least 25 years

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Man who shook his partner's toddler to death jailed for at least 25 years

A man who shook his partner’s toddler to death after staying up late playing video games has been jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years.

Paula Roberts left her son Charlie, aged one year and 10 months, in the care of her partner Christopher Stockton at her Darlington home while she went for an eye test, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Within minutes of her leaving, Stockton called 999 to report the toddler had gone “floppy”.

Stockton, 38, who is not Charlie’s father, was convicted of the boy’s murder and child cruelty in December.

Christopher Stockton. Pic: Durham Constabulary
Image:
Christopher Stockton has been sentenced for the killing. Pic: Durham Constabulary/PA

Sentencing Stockton, Mr Justice Goss said Charlie, who was born two months prematurely and had difficulty communicating, was particularly vulnerable.

The judge said only Stockton knew why he inflicted the fatal blow which caused brain injuries similar to those seen in a car crash, a crushing incident or a fall of several storeys.

“You have robbed his family of the joy of bringing up a child and of sharing life events with him. No court can undo the harm you have caused,” he said.

Roberts was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday.

Paula Roberts.
Pic: Durham Police
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Paula Roberts had concerns about Stockton, but did nothing. Pic: Durham Police

Having initially denied a child cruelty charge, she eventually admitted neglecting her son by failing to get Charlie medical treatment for bruising caused by Stockton over several weeks.

During the police investigation into Charlie’s death, detectives uncovered a series of photographs on Roberts’ phone which showed him with bruises and injuries to different parts of his body.

Several messages on her phone stated she would seek medical help for her boy – but she never did.

“You now recognise that you contributed to his neglect, in effect turning a blind eye to what you must have known was the reality of the situation,” the judge told Roberts.

“You remain a risk to any children in your care.”

Richard Herrmann, defending Roberts, said she had struggled with mental health issues.

She wept as Mr Herrmann said: “She has to live with the knowledge that had she acted differently it would not have happened.”

Charlie Roberts: Pic: Family Handout/PA
Image:
Pic: Family Handout/PA

The court heard Roberts was suspicious enough about Stockton that she set up a spy camera above her son’s cot.

But the 41-year-old stayed in a relationship with him, even after she voiced her concerns about Stockton to her brother.

Stockton, who had moved in with Roberts and Charlie just seven days earlier, was in sole charge of the boy on 12 January 2024.

He was off work ill and had stayed up into the early hours playing Xbox games, and must have snapped that morning, the court was told.

Stockton inflicted a severe head injury on Charlie which caused widespread bleeding on the brain. The toddler died in hospital the next day.

Charlie Roberts
Pic: Durham Police
Image:
Charlie Roberts
Pic: Durham Police

Nicholas Lumley KC, prosecuting, told jurors Stockton “shook or threw him with such violence, deliberately and forcefully harming little Charlie”.

Stockton rang 999 and could be heard on a recording repeatedly saying “come on mate” and “wakey wakey” to Charlie, who was not breathing.

He was to tell paramedics, doctors and the police that Charlie had choked on a biscuit and that he patted the child on the back and stuck his fingers down the toddler’s throat.

Jamie Hill KC, defending Stockton, told the court he had no previous convictions, the murder was not premeditated and there was no intention to kill.

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Following Stockton’s conviction, Charlie’s father Barry Greenwell said: “Charlie was a much-loved son and grandson who has been taken away needlessly, and has left the whole family with a void that will never be filled.

“As a family we are processing the recent events and are trying to come to terms with the verdict and information given that has been deeply disturbing to ourselves.”

Detective Superintendent Chris Barker, who led the investigation, said: “To install a spy camera, as Paula Roberts did, means there must have been concerns about him.

“If you have concerns about those caring for your children, you must act, speak out or ask for help.

“Charlie had everything to live for, but his life was cruelly cut short.”

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