Full Breakdown
Matt Hancock Faces Calls for Removal from Privy Council After Covid Inquiry Report
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A Covid-19 inquiry report released on a Tuesday criticised the UK government’s handling of care homes at the start of the pandemic. The inquiry concluded that discharging untested patients to care homes was a “least-worst” solution that risked introducing Covid-19 to vulnerable residents.
Background & Context
During the first wave, hospitals faced bed shortages and limited testing capacity. The inquiry cited a 2016 pandemic-preparedness exercise, Exercise Cygnus, which recommended developing surge capacity for social care but was not acted upon. Hancock resigned as health secretary in June 2021 after breaching social-distancing rules during an affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Official Statements & Responses
- Hancock did not comment on the report’s publication.
- On October 21, 2026, Andy Burnham tweeted his agreement to meet bereaved families after the report, and the prime minister accepted the invitation.
Verbatim Quote
“Alternatively, to free up capacity, they could discharge patients who were potentially Covid-19-positive and run the risk of Covid-19 being introduced to vulnerable residents in care homes.” — Mr Hancock, former health secretary