Fury as Boris Johnson says Hancock scandal is a ‘Westminster bubble’ issue

30 June 2021, 12:33 | Updated: 30 June 2021, 12:47

"It is one rule for them and another rule for everybody else?”

By Asher McShane

Boris Johnson sparked an angry backlash today at PMQs when he made efforts to dismiss the scandal involving former health secretary Matt Hancock as a 'Westminster Bubble' issue.

The prime minister was accused of a 'tone deaf' response after Sir Keir Starmer highlighted to a pointedly silent House of Commons the case of Oliver Bibby, 27, who died of leukaemia while unable to see his family the day before the pictures of Mr Hancock emerged.

The PM initially backed Mr Hancock despite him breaching social distancing while kissing a colleague. Mr Johnson has subsequently tried to say he sacked him.

Sir Keir gave Ollie's example to highlight the sacrifices the nation has made during Covid. Oliver asked repeatedly to see his family but could only see one person, the Labour leader said.

Oliver, from South Benfleet in Essex, died of leukaemia in hospital on 5 May, a day before Matt Hancock was filmed kissing Gina Coladangelo in his Whitehall Office.

Keir Starmer hits out at Boris Johnson over Hancock resignation delay

One person posted online: "Westminster bubble meant my husband couldn't see his sons for much of his last year, didn't see his brother or sister. Only saw my mum at my husband's funeral where I had to tell people they were not invited. My son sat on his own. Heartless crass comments."

Another wrote: "What sort of response is ‘Westminster Bubble’ to the death of this young man Olly mentioned by Starmer during PMQs? Despicable of PM to just go on about vaccinations. Johnson is disgusting!"

PM hits back at Keir Starmer: 'He fires and rehires!'

Mr Johnson went on to express sympathy with Oliver's case and with everyone who has "endured" the lockdown, adding "that is why we had a change of Health Secretary the day after the story appeared". 

Sir Keir Starmer responded: "This is not a Westminster bubble story" and asked the PM to withdraw the comment.

"It is the wrong response to Ollie's case", he said. Sir Keir added that he spoke to Ollie's mother this morning and "she told me for and her family, this case isn't closed."

Mr Johnson initially said the matter was 'closed' when the story emerged on Friday of Mr Hancock's kiss with a senior colleague. Mr Hancock quit as Health Secretary one day later and was replaced by Sajid Javid.

Mr Hancock will stay in politics as a backbencher but calls are growing for him to stand down altogether.

Tory councillor Ian Houlder told the Evening Standard he was “disgusted” by Mr Hancock’s behaviour and is calling for him to be deselected. He said: "As far as I’m concerned he’s politically finished."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A dedicated gardener gently waters her flourishing plants, banner

Millions missing out on water bill support due to 'unmeterable' homes

A man reacts in front of candles at a school where a shooting took place on June 10

Non-functional pipe bomb and farewell letter found at home of Austria school shooter, say police

The San José, a Spanish ship, sunk after being attacked off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia.

'Holy grail' shipwreck with £15,000,000,000 worth of treasure found in Caribbean

Tijjani Reijnders has joined Manchester City from Milan and takes the club’s spending this year to £288m.

Manchester City continue summer spending spree with new £46million Dutch midfielder

'Telling Derek about my heart condition would have killed him,' admits Kate Garraway

'Telling Derek about my heart condition would have killed him,' admits Kate Garraway as she opens up on health battle

Phineas Float, Jonathan Collyer, and Lisa Stocker who are accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram (over two pounds) of cocaine into Indonesia sit inside the courtroom at Denpasar District Court

'I was framed': British mother facing death penalty in Bali for 'smuggling cocaine in Angel Delight' claims stitch-up

A TV ad for Twix showing a man with flowing hair involved in a car chase and crash that results in his and an identical, caramel-coloured car sandwiched on top of each other, has been banned

Twix advert banned for encouraging unsafe driving

Police searching for Madeleine McCann clues uncovered buried guns and bone fragments

Madeleine McCann police find ‘two buried guns' near prime suspect's abandoned house

Claudia Winkleman (left) and Tess Daly are set to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly 'to be recognised' in King's Birthday Honours list

One of the Red Arrows Hawk T1 jets comes in to land at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team are staying overnight in Liverpool before continuing their their journey from RAF Lossiemouth.

RAF hits back over claims Red Arrows 'in crisis' after legendary display team forced to plunder old planes for parts

A vehicle is set alight during an anti-immigration demonstration in Ballymena

Anti-immigration unrest leaves 17 officers injured in Ballymena as police chief slams 'dangerous' underfunding

Manchester City have unveiled French star Rayan Cherki ahead of Club World Cup

Manchester City seal £30.5million deal for France midfielder Rayan Cherki ahead of Club World Cup

Harry Brook and England with the vitality trophy during the 3rd Vitality IT20 between England and West Indies at Utilita Bowl.

England complete T20 series clean sweep to continue Harry Brook’s winning start

Orlando Bloom's two-hour procedure took place at Clarify Clinic in London

Orlando Bloom pays £10k treatment to remove microplastics from his blood

Rough sleeping is set to be decriminalised in England and Wales

Rough sleeping to be decriminalised in England and Wales under plans to ditch 'pernicious' 200-year-old law

A 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Manchester has been named locally as Ibrahima Seck

Three teenage boys charged with the murder of 14-year-old Manchester schoolboy Ibrahima Seck