Matt Hancock ‘takes down’ picture of pub linked to Covid contract

Minister has claimed he had ‘nothing to do’ with former pub owner’s contract for Covid test vials

Matt Hancock appearing on BBC with photo of Cock Inn (BBC)

Health secretary Matt Hancock appears to have removed a photograph of the local pub formally run by an acquaintance caught up in controversy over a government Covid contract.

A company owned by Alex Bourne – the former landlord of Mr Hancock’s local pub the Cock Inn – is currently under investigation by the UK’s medical regulator over a contract to produce Covid test vials for the NHS.

In recent months Mr Hancock has been seen doing live TV interviews with a framed photo of the Cock Inn, located in his West Suffolk constituency, on the wall of his study.

However, on Tuesday, a different picture could be seen over the minister’s right shoulder when he made a series of media appearances.

Earlier this week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed it was “currently investigating” Mr Bourne’s firm Hinpack, after it secured a multi million-pound government contract.

Last year it was widely reported that Mr Bourne had messaged the health secretary to offer his firm’s services after obtaining Mr Hancock’s phone number from a mutual friend.

Mr Bourne has acknowledged contacting the health secretary via WhatsApp – but has denied any impropriety. He said on Sunday that he had heard “nothing” from the MHRA on its investigation.

Asked about Mr Bourne and Hinpack in December, Mr Hancock said: “I had absolutely nothing to do with that contract.”

Matt Hancock appears on Sky News with different photo on his wall (Sky News)

On Tuesday, appearing on Sky News with a new photo on his wall, the health secretary suggested there was nothing wrong with knowing people who win government contacts.

He said: “Are you saying that if you know a minister, you shouldn’t be allowed to have contracts?”

Mr Hancock also dismissed a court ruling which found he had broken the law by failing to publish details of Covid contracts in the required time.

He suggested the “delayed paperwork” was down to his team spending “all of their time buying life-saving equipment”.

The Independent has contacted Mr Hancock’s office about the photos on his wall.