Matt Hancock: Listen to health secretary’s excruciating interview about Dominic Cummings

The tense exchange lasted several minutes

Matt Hancock was repeatedly pressed this morning on whether a senior government aide did the “right thing” when breaking lockdown rules in March.

The tense exchange between Mr Hancock and the BBC’s Nick Robinson came as the health secretary was trying to talk about the new Test and Trace scheme.

“We are instructing people to stay at home” said Mr Hancock.

“They can’t drive? They can’t go to a beauty spot?” replied Mr Robinson, alluding to an admission from the government’s most senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, that made a round trip of more than 500 miles, and second 60-mile journey, during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

When asked if Mr Cummings had “done the right thing” by making these journeys, Mr Hancock said “I’ve answered this question before a couple of days ago and the prime minister has answered all these questions endlessly“.

“I’ve said I think he was acting within the guidelines. I also understand why reasonable people might disagree with that.”