Hancock ‘mentioned withholding studying incapacity hub if MP opposed lockdown’
Matt Hancock mentioned withholding funding for a studying incapacity centre to stress an MP to not insurgent in opposition to coronavirus restrictions, leaked messages recommend.
The previous well being secretary and an aide spoke about warning Bury North MP James Daly {that a} new centre for disabled youngsters and adults can be “off the desk” if he voted in opposition to the Authorities, in line with the Telegraph’s investigation.
Senior Conservative Jake Berry described the disclosure as an “absolute shame” and known as for Mr Hancock to be hauled earlier than the Commons for questioning.
However Mr Hancock’s group stated “what’s being accused right here by no means occurred” as they disputed the “solely partial account” primarily based on a trove of leaked WhatsApp messages.
The Telegraph stated the dialogue between Mr Hancock and political aide Allan Nixon got here forward of a vote on December 1 2020 on the introduction of latest Covid restrictions in England.
Hancock must be dragged to the bar of the Home of Commons very first thing tomorrow morning to be questioned on this
Conservative MP Jake Berry
Mr Nixon stated they should “dangle our high asks” over a number of the latest MPs who entered Parliament in 2019 by means of Boris Johnson’s common election victory.
Mr Nixon steered, for instance, “James desires his Studying Incapacity Hub in Bury – whips name him up and say Well being group need to work with him to ship this however that’ll be off the desk if he rebels”.
“These guys’ re-election hinges on us in plenty of situations, and we all know what they need. We must always significantly think about using it IMO,” he wrote.
Mr Hancock’s response was “sure 100%”.
Mr Daly, a Conservative MP, informed the paper he was “appalled” and “disgusted” that the incapacity hub was mentioned as a approach to coerce him into voting with ministers.
However he stated the menace was by no means made to him.
Mr Hancock’s spokesman stated: “As we’ve repeatedly seen this final week, it’s utterly flawed to take this solely partial account and write it up as truth.
“What’s being accused right here by no means occurred, demonstrating the story is flawed, and displaying why such a biased, partial strategy to the proof is a nasty mistake, pushed by these with a vested curiosity and an axe to grind.
“The best place to think about all the pieces in regards to the pandemic objectively is within the public inquiry.”
However Mr Berry, a former Tory celebration chairman, stated: “That is an absolute shame.
“Hancock must be dragged to the bar of the Home of Commons very first thing tomorrow morning to be questioned on this.”
The post Hancock ‘mentioned withholding studying incapacity hub if MP opposed lockdown’ appeared first on World News.
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