Jeremy Hunt has admitted he feels “guilty” about Matt Hancock’s CCTV saga as the former Chancellor installed the cameras in the office. Mr Hunt was the Health Secretary when he moved the department into a new office.
He said: “I felt real guilt about Matt Hancock. I was the health secretary who moved the Department of Health into new offices in which all the cameras were installed. So if I hadn’t taken those decisions, maybe Matt Hancock would still be health secretary.” CCTV footage leaked to the media in June 2021 showed then health secretary Mr Hancock kissing aide Gina Coladangelo.
This breached his own Covid-19 lockdown rules which ultimately led to his resignation during the pandemic.
Speaking to The Times, Mr Hunt also revealed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is using his toaster.
The MP for Godalming and Ash said: “The prime minister is using my toaster. When you leave after losing an election, everything is a hurry.
“The removal men left behind our toaster and kettle. I sent Keir a text message: “Do you know you’ve got my toaster?” He replied, “Do you want it back?” I said, “No, you’re welcome to it.” I said to my kids, “We’re moving out and we’re going to do a card for the Starmers. I want you to write a message to Keir’s children.” They wrote a nice note.”
He also told how his son discovered a shortcut from their flat to Rishi Sunaks’ flat.
Mr Hunt added: “My daughter used to get friends round on playdates and they’d go to receptions the prime minister was holding and help themselves to the canapés.”
He used the interview, released to coincide with his new book Can We Be Great Again? Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain, to praise Sir Keir’s performance on the international stage.
But he called the key holder to No10 “a big disappointment at home”.