War of words erupts over Covid Whatsapp messages

An extraordinary war of words has erupted over events at the centre of government during the Covid pandemic after more than 100,000 of Matt Hancock’s Whatsapp messages were leaked.

As he fought for his political reputation, the former health secretary claimed through a spokesperson that the messages had been “doctored” and “spun to fit an anti-lockdown agenda”.

It was “flat wrong” to say Mr Hancock had rejected advice to test all residents going into English care homes, the spokesperson added.