A series of text messages from former UK health secretary Matt Hancock show his intent to purposely frighten the public to comply with the COVID restrictions.
More than 100 thousand text messages were leaked to the Sunday telegraph newspaper. Among them is an exchange between Hancock and cabinet secretary Simon case in which case suggested in January 2021 that “fear” would be a “vital” factor in ensuring UK citizens’ compliance with COVID restrictions.
It also shows Hancock’s discussion on when to reveal information to the public about the discovery of a new strain of the virus in the hope of maximizing the impact of lockdown rules. Hancock said he wants to “frighten the pants off everyone”. Hancock revealed a day later that a new variant of COVID 19 had been identified in the country.
Hancock has responded to the leaks saying that there is “absolutely no public interest case” for the “huge breach” of text messages, which he described as a “massive betrayal”.
