ITV News presenter Charlene White informs the former health secretary that her aunt perished during the pandemic, and the former health secretary tells her that he seeks forgiveness.
An I’m a Celebrity campmate informed Matt Hancock that “sorry… doesn’t cut it” for his rule-breaking during COVID.
The former health secretary resigned from his position in June 2021 after images of him having an affair with a former staffer in his office were leaked, in violation of guidelines prohibiting the mixing of households.
He is now on the ITV reality show, having lost the Conservative whip in the process, and has been forced to answer questions from the celebrities he is in the jungle with.
When asked if he had received a fine for his actions, Mr. Hancock replied: “Obviously, I did not.
“I did not violate any laws; yet, I do not wish to [discuss guidance]. The issue was that it was my direction.”
But when asked why he did it, the politician replied, “Because it was a mistake and I fell in love with someone.”
Charlene White, an ITV News presenter, told him about her experience in lockdown, which was deemed unacceptable by several campmates.
My aunt died in the first wave of COVID,” she said. “Therefore, we were unable to visit her in the hospital, I had to sit alone in the church during the funeral, and we were unable to embrace because we were following instructions.
“And I get that you fell in love, I get all of that, but for many families like mine, sorry just doesn’t cut it.”
Mr. Hancock stated that stories like hers were “among the reasons I regret it so much.”
However, he continued to defend the government’s broader response to the pandemic, stating, for instance, that there were “reasons” why decisions were made regarding care homes and adding, “Ultimately, the virus was the cause of these problems, not the people trying to solve them.”
The conversation ended on an emotional note when the MP said, “Do you know, what I’m looking for is a little bit of forgiveness, that’s what I’m looking for” – prompting several hugs from the other contestants.
Chris Moyles, a radio DJ, remained skeptical of his motives, telling the cameras, “I feel he has pulled the mask slightly off his chin, but I still believe he is not telling us the whole truth.
Later, Moyles told another campmate about what Mr. Hancock had said, saying: “Forgiveness? What is forgiveness for? What do you apologize for?
“Is it for being apprehended? Do you regret having an affair? Are you regretful of your poor choices? What?
“Be real if you intend to be real”
Mr. Hancock stated to the cameras, “Many of the detainees posed questions that the general public has also posed, and it is only respectful to provide straightforward and honest responses.”
