It has emerged that Matt Hancock told aides he wanted to “frighten the pants off everyone with the new strain” of Covid-19 to ensure the public would comply with restrictions.
The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show Hancock and others discussed how releasing information about the Kent variant would scare the public into changing their behaviour.
The messages, published in the Sunday Telegraph, are among more than 100,000 messages passed to the newspaper by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, show that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the “fear” factor would be “vital” in stopping the spread of the virus.
Messages already published have shown Rishi Sunak and Hancock complaining about Dominic Cummings’ “nightmare” tenure in Downing Street, and the former health secretary’s repeated concerns over Sunak’s Eat Out To Help Out initiative, which he felt was contributing to the spread of Covid-19.
Matt Hancock wanted to use the Kent variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone'
Hannah McKay
The latest messages show the approach taken by Hancock and others to Government communication at various stages during the pandemic.
In December 2020, the exchanges show concern that London Mayor Sadiq Khan could follow the example of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who had clashed with the Government over the decision to impose stringent lockdown restrictions on the region.
Hancock’s adviser said: “Rather than doing too much forward signalling, we can roll pitch with the new strain.”
“We frighten the pants of everyone with the new strain,” the then health secretary responded.
Matt Hancock wanted to use the Kent variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone'
Doug Peters
“But the complication with that Brexit is taking the top line,” he said, in an apparent reference to media coverage of the UK’s EU exit.
“Yep that’s what will get proper behaviour change,” the adviser said.
Hancock replied: “When do we deploy the new variant.”
The conversation, on December 13, came amid concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in south-east England.
Matt Hancock wanted to use the Kent variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone'
Matt Dunham
Hancock announced that a new Covid-19 variant had been identified in the UK on December 14.
London and south-east England were to enter a new Tier 4 alert level, it was announced on December 19, when then prime minister Boris Johnson also cancelled a promised Christmas “bubbles” policy allowing families to meet.
The entirety of England entered the third national lockdown on January 6 2021.
Messages from January 10 show Hancock and the Cabinet Secretary discussing ways to ensure compliance.
Matt Hancock wanted to use the Kent variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone'
Matt Dunham
Hancock told Case, after a brief discussion on angling, that he “honestly wouldn’t move on any small things unless we move on a lot”.
Case agrees: “I think that is exactly right. Small stuff looks ridiculous. Ramping up messaging – the fear/guilt factor vital.
“I suspect London Nightingale coming into use will feel like a big public moment.
“Especially as I guess it will be full with a couple of days (based on current data).”
Matt Hancock wanted to use the Kent variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone'
Aaron Chown
Speaking to Camilla Tominey on GB News, the then shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, condemned Hancock’s actions.
“His political career’s over, isn’t it? The key thing is he accounts for himself in an inquiry.”
Ashworth told GB News an inquiry into lockdown and the pandemic needs to take place urgently.