this is bbc news, i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 19:00pm: the health secretary matt hancock has resigned — after pictures emerged of him kissing an aide in his office — in breach of covid guidelines. in his resignation letter — matt hancock says he �*owes it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down". i understand the enormous sacrifices that everyone in this country has made. that you have made. and those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them and that is why i have got to resign. to stick by them and that is why i have got to resign. and, the euros dream is overfor wales — as they lost 2—0 to

denmark in amsterdam. good evening. matt hancock has resigned as health secretary after he breached social distancing guidance by kissing a colleague. in a letter to the prime minister he says the government "owes it to people who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down". he reiterated his apology for "breaking the guidance". his resignation comes after pictures emerged of him with gina coladangelo, reportedly taken on 6 may. mr hancock released a short resignation statement via twitter — this is what he had to say. i have been to see the prime minister to resign as secretary of state for health and i understand

the enormous sacrifices that everybody in this country has made, that you have made, and those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them and that's why i have got to resign. i want to thank people for their incredible sacrifices and what they have done. everybody working in the nhs, across social care, everyone involved in the vaccine programme and frankly, everybody in this country. who has risen to the challenges that we have seen over this past 18 months. i'm very proud of what we have done to protect the nhs at the peak, to deliver that vaccine roll—out, one of the fastest in the world. and i look forward to supporting the government and the prime minister from the backbenches to make sure that we can get out of this pandemic. we are so close to the end and then build back better so that this

country can fulfil its potential, which is so great and i will do that with all of my heart. that was the statement issued on twitter short time ago. that was the statement issued on twitter short time ago. our political correspondent ben wright is with us. they will have done a lot of this verbally at some point today. yes. and in his letter _ verbally at some point today. yes. and in his letter the _ verbally at some point today. yes. and in his letter the prime - verbally at some point today. 133 and in his letter the prime minister said sorry to receive your letter. immensely proud. you should be immensely proud of your service. he goes through some of the work that he praises him for during the pandemic. get a strong sense that this definitely was matt hancock's decision to quit. it was not pushed into it by number ten. no check on the number ten today they repeated

the number ten today they repeated the library yesterday that they considered this matter closed. they wanted this to pass and for matt hancock to stay in a job. the pressure was not coming from them. this feels to me like a decision taken within the context of his family. and that is what he said letter to the prime minister. the last thing i would want is for my private life to distract. this was reflected in his statement as well. it feels like he's taken the decision to quit because of what clearly are very difficult personal circumstances for him now. fix, circumstances for him now. a generous letter in the terms of the tone of it. unlike some of the letters theresa may scent. it leaves the door open for him returning at some point in the future. the? the door open for him returning at some point in the future. they been throu~h a some point in the future. they been through a lot _ some point in the future. they been through a lot together. _ some point in the future. they been through a lot together. you - some point in the future. they been through a lot together. you been i some point in the future. they been. through a lot together. you been one ofthe through a lot together. you been one of the great — through a lot together. you been one of the great survivors _ through a lot together. you been one of the great survivors of _ through a lot together. you been one of the great survivors of the - through a lot together. you been one of the great survivors of the coming l of the great survivors of the coming years. of the great survivors of the coming ears. .,. , of the great survivors of the coming ears. .. , ., , of the great survivors of the coming ears. .. , .,, ., ., years. exactly. he was one of the few osborne _ years. exactly. he was one of the few osborne and _

years. exactly. he was one of the few osborne and cameron - years. exactly. he was one of the few osborne and cameron team i years. exactly. he was one of the. few osborne and cameron team to years. exactly. he was one of the - few osborne and cameron team to make it through to borisjohnson�*s government and he is a very ambitious and quite young cabinet minister. he stood for the leadership in 2019 and he wants to be prime minister and he... irate leadership in 2019 and he wants to be prime minister and he... we 'ust not a bit be prime minister and he... we 'ust got a bit of— be prime minister and he... we 'ust got a bit of news i be prime minister and he... we 'ust got a bit of news coming * be prime minister and he... we 'ust got a bit of news coming from h got a bit of news coming from twitter from a politicaljournalist who is saying tonight and there will be some story tomorrow that the old friend mr hancock was kissing, from a friend from university days had a job at the department of health on the board. she is leaving her position on the board of the department of health. i position on the board of the department of health. i 'ust heard the same. not h department of health. i 'ust heard the same. not usually _ department of health. ijust heard the same. not usually surprising. | the same. not usually surprising. there are two _ the same. not usually surprising. there are two big _ the same. not usually surprising. there are two big questions. - there are two big questions. irrespective of the kissing in the department and that, this is a problem for two reasons. the first was he broke his own guidelines

regarding social distancing and his credibility would be under some strain for quite a long time to come as he tells the rest of us to behave. ,., ., , as he tells the rest of us to behave-— as he tells the rest of us to behave. .,, ., .,, ., in behave. do as i say not as i do. it makes it difficult _ behave. do as i say not as i do. it makes it difficult for _ behave. do as i say not as i do. it makes it difficult for him - behave. do as i say not as i do. it makes it difficult for him and - makes it difficult for him and eminem stood at the dispatch box or a podium he would have been asked about this and that would have muddied the messaging. the second issue was around the role she had on what she was doing. how did she have this access as an unpaid adviser around him in the department of health earlier last year and how precisely, what was a process by which she became a nonexecutive director on the board of the department of health and social care. this has been another example, ed raises questions about how these appointments are made and looking into it what is surprising as there appears to be no rules around how

people are made nonexecutive directors on these boards also on that board is the permanent secretary, senior medical officers. it is not exactly an ombudsman. but what would be her qualifications beyond being an old friend of the health secretary. mas beyond being an old friend of the health secretary.— beyond being an old friend of the health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure — health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure on _ health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure on that _ health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure on that front _ health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure on that front up - health secretary. was trying to keep the pressure on that front up today | the pressure on that front up today by saying all the correspondence around her appointment need to be published. that is where they repointing the guns. it was said earlier. that the prime minister had to move fast to replace and not because this is a political controversy and you fill the gaps quickly and hope you can move on but because we are in a pandemic and he has not got a health secretary. is down a health secretary and he has had at his fingertips. he is something of a management consultant about it. when he was appearing in

front of a select committee the other day he relished the ct head, pulling levers and trying to get things done. he is coming to huge amount of criticism from from sam. . there are some people very angry about how he handled himself during the pandemic but it was a very tough job for everybody and government. irate job for everybody and government. we do have a minister already running the vaccination programme and that would seem to be a logical move but for the prime minister takes it is another matter.— for the prime minister takes it is another matter. he's talked about someone on _ another matter. he's talked about someone on the _ another matter. he's talked about someone on the cusp _ another matter. he's talked about someone on the cusp of— another matter. he's talked about someone on the cusp of a - another matter. he's talked about someone on the cusp of a bigger i someone on the cusp of a bigger cabinetjob and as an ally of the prime minister so that would be a possibility. name floating around was michael gove possibly using cabinet office and is reforming cabinet of secretary of state in education, you may be tempted to go

to hell. ., . education, you may be tempted to go to hell. ., , , ., education, you may be tempted to go to hell. ,, , i. to hell. stay with us if you can. i want to get _ to hell. stay with us if you can. i want to get some _ to hell. stay with us if you can. i want to get some more - to hell. stay with us if you can. i i want to get some more reactions. good evening to you. if i remember rightly you offered some words in this yesterday and you are saying you thought he had been good at is job but you are not sure about his future. how do you react to what you've heard tonight both his decision to go and the manner of it. i think he has done the right thing for the _ i think he has done the right thing for the country and for the department of health and for the government, ultimately. as you have pointed _ government, ultimately. as you have pointed out, — government, ultimately. as you have pointed out, it is ok for any cabinet _ pointed out, it is ok for any cabinet minister to have the confidence of the prime minister but every— confidence of the prime minister but every cabinet minister needs to have the confidence of the public, in particular— the confidence of the public, in particular the secretary of state for health during a pandemic. and what _ for health during a pandemic. and what has _ for health during a pandemic. and what has been clear of the past 24 hours _ what has been clear of the past 24 hours is _ what has been clear of the past 24 hours is that for a sizeable minority— hours is that for a sizeable minority or majority of the public

they no_ minority or majority of the public they no longer had confidence in matt_ they no longer had confidence in matt hancock. it was not the affair. it was _ matt hancock. it was not the affair. it was the _ matt hancock. it was not the affair. it was the apparent hypocrisy of being _ it was the apparent hypocrisy of being someone who made the rules but then broke _ being someone who made the rules but then broke their own rules and that made _ then broke their own rules and that made his— then broke their own rules and that made his position untenable at any time and _ made his position untenable at any time and particularly during a pandemic which is still some weeks before _ pandemic which is still some weeks before we _ pandemic which is still some weeks before we get to freedom day. to the prime minister — before we get to freedom day. to the prime minister have _ before we get to freedom day. to the prime minister have realised - before we get to freedom day. to the prime minister have realised that - before we get to freedom day. to the prime minister have realised that 24 l prime minister have realised that 24 hours ago? same think the prime minister thought it would blow over but it was clear the media would not let this issue drop. there will be more stories in the paper tomorrow. i willjust come back from a day of campaigning and it is an issue on the doorsteps and is a distraction from the by—election up there and his position had become untenable. it was headlines for several days and in the last 24 hours it is clear from my inbox and lots of

conservative mp colleagues and other colleagues in the house that public opinion is that he had to go and he has done the right thing now. we know that at the time pretty patel was under pressure to resign, there were no backbenchers coming out to defend mr hancock and was that significant to you?— significant to you? yes. it is a brutal game _ significant to you? yes. it is a brutal game and _ significant to you? yes. it is a brutal game and when - significant to you? yes. it is a brutal game and when you - significant to you? yes. it is a| brutal game and when you are significant to you? yes. it is a i brutal game and when you are in trouble _ brutal game and when you are in trouble in — brutal game and when you are in trouble in a _ brutal game and when you are in trouble in a situation like this are very few— trouble in a situation like this are very few colleagues will come out and defend you. to an extent i think. — and defend you. to an extent i think. was— and defend you. to an extent i think, was anyone going to die in a ditch— think, was anyone going to die in a ditch when— think, was anyone going to die in a ditch when they felt matt hancock had dug _ ditch when they felt matt hancock had dug a ditch himself? i don't think— had dug a ditch himself? i don't think so — had dug a ditch himself? i don't think so. ., , ., , think so. the other question is the de arture think so. the other question is the departure of— think so. the other question is the departure of the _ think so. the other question is the departure of the woman _ think so. the other question is the departure of the woman who - think so. the other question is the departure of the woman who was i think so. the other question is the | departure of the woman who was in those photographs. it is at the end of the matter or other questions for you that remain over the role she was performing in the department of

health on the board? i was performing in the department of health on the board?— health on the board? i don't think her departure _ health on the board? i don't think her departure will— health on the board? i don't think her departure will end _ health on the board? i don't think her departure will end the - health on the board? i don't think i her departure will end the questions of her— her departure will end the questions of her role _ her departure will end the questions of her role and given the way this situation — of her role and given the way this situation is — of her role and given the way this situation is played out though i have _ situation is played out though i have not— situation is played out though i have not heard anyone raise questions about her ability to perform _ questions about her ability to perform the role she was doing on the board — perform the role she was doing on the board. in perform the role she was doing on the board. . perform the role she was doing on the board. , ., ., , ., the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly — the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly do _ the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly do you _ the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly do you want _ the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly do you want a _ the board. in terms of the gap now, how quickly do you want a new- the board. in terms of the gap now, i how quickly do you want a new health secretary in place? the how quickly do you want a new health secretary in place?— secretary in place? the prime minister will _ secretary in place? the prime minister will have _ secretary in place? the prime minister will have to - secretary in place? the prime minister will have to move - secretary in place? the prime| minister will have to move fast because — minister will have to move fast because we are still in a pandemic. there _ because we are still in a pandemic. there are _ because we are still in a pandemic. there are people who have got experience running the health service — experience running the health service you are i am sure available and other— service you are i am sure available and other experienced cabinet ministers who could be moved across but i ministers who could be moved across but i would _ ministers who could be moved across but i would expect that we will have an announcement in a matter of hours _ an announcement in a matter of hours. , hours. something she said in the course of the _ hours. something she said in the course of the interview _ hours. something she said in the course of the interview was - hours. something she said in the course of the interview was that l hours. something she said in the i course of the interview was that you think there will be more stories tomorrow. is that part of the background to this, do you think? the decision. i

background to this, do you think? the decision.— the decision. i think it became evident that _ the decision. i think it became evident that they _ the decision. i think it became evident that they were - the decision. i think it became evident that they were going l the decision. i think it became| evident that they were going to the decision. i think it became i evident that they were going to be more _ evident that they were going to be more revelations about the story and obviously _ more revelations about the story and obviously that was further undermining public confidence in the secretary— undermining public confidence in the secretary of state for health. and that is— secretary of state for health. and that is absolutely essential for every — that is absolutely essential for every cabinet minister not only to the confidence of the prime minister but also _ the confidence of the prime minister but also the country. and you can't run health — but also the country. and you can't run health policy during a pandemic where _ run health policy during a pandemic where you — run health policy during a pandemic where you need compliance with rules that take _ where you need compliance with rules that take away peoples freedom is when _ that take away peoples freedom is when people have no confidence in the person— when people have no confidence in the person making the rules. there is an important _ the person making the rules. there is an important decision _ the person making the rules. there is an important decision to - the person making the rules. there is an important decision to be i the person making the rules. ii—ii” is an important decision to be made looking towards 19, by the prime minister. does this help or hinder him at all because in essence there are a lot of people in the conservative parliamentary party, you been one of them, have been uneasy about the way this has continued and the effect on the economy and peoples individual freedom, big march in central london today of anti—lockdown protesters. how much of the public that represents i don't know but evidence people are out there. do you think

this is going to be a problem. i this is going to be a problem. i think unfortunately, we have got to nearty— think unfortunately, we have got to nearly the — think unfortunately, we have got to nearly the end of the pandemic effectively. personally i to have unlocked — effectively. personally i to have unlocked faster than we have. i think— unlocked faster than we have. i think any— unlocked faster than we have. i think any enquiry into the way the government has handled the pandemic will have _ government has handled the pandemic will have to _ government has handled the pandemic will have to take massive account of the long—term effects of the lockdown on mental health well— being, lockdown on mental health well—being, damaged nhf itself in the backlog of patients that would take a _ the backlog of patients that would take a long time to be dealt with and also — take a long time to be dealt with and also the damage we have done to our economy. and that has to be balanced — our economy. and that has to be balanced with the fact that it is clear— balanced with the fact that it is clear now— balanced with the fact that it is clear now that figures showing that other— clear now that figures showing that other infections are increasing there — other infections are increasing there are _ other infections are increasing there are resistant populations and younger— there are resistant populations and younger people. the broken link with infections _ younger people. the broken link with infections and hospitalisations and thankfully fatalities. that is a

fact and — thankfully fatalities. that is a fact and i_ thankfully fatalities. that is a fact and i voted against the government's extension to the lockdown— government's extension to the lockdown the other week. and i think it should _ lockdown the other week. and i think it should he _ lockdown the other week. and i think it should be freedom day on the 19th ofjuly. _ it should be freedom day on the 19th ofjuly. obviously a lot of the work that matt — ofjuly. obviously a lot of the work that matt hancock needed to do has been done _ that matt hancock needed to do has been done and we thank him for his efforts _ been done and we thank him for his efforts it _ been done and we thank him for his efforts. it has been an unenviable 'ob efforts. it has been an unenviable job over— efforts. it has been an unenviable job over the last 18 months. and he has handled it as well as anyone could _ has handled it as well as anyone could when there is no government knowledge, no history out there to draw— knowledge, no history out there to draw on _ knowledge, no history out there to draw on with it the last time your in this— draw on with it the last time your in this situation was 100 years ago. do you _ in this situation was 100 years ago. do you think— in this situation was 100 years ago. do you think his departure removes an obstacle for colleagues like yourself who felt that perhaps some people in government were a bit to kind of gung ho about lockdown? . i kind of gung ho about lockdown? . i think it is highly likely that we are going to be having our freedom day on _ are going to be having our freedom day on the — are going to be having our freedom day on the 19th ofjuly. i don't think— day on the 19th ofjuly. i don't think anything will change that now and i

think anything will change that now and i think— think anything will change that now and i think even matt hancock of the most _ and i think even matt hancock of the most lockdown key of the cabinet ministers — most lockdown key of the cabinet ministers have to accept we must have _ ministers have to accept we must have our— ministers have to accept we must have our freedom on the 19th of july. _ have our freedom on the 19th of july the — have our freedom on the 19th of july. the country has been through a lot and _ july. the country has been through a lot and made huge sacrifices but once _ lot and made huge sacrifices but once people see the signs from themselves compliance with any lockdown rules on public enthusiasm will wane _ lockdown rules on public enthusiasm will wane very, very quickly. thank ou ve will wane very, very quickly. thank you very much- _ will wane very, very quickly. thank you very much. before _ will wane very, very quickly. thank you very much. before we - will wane very, very quickly. thank you very much. before we move i will wane very, very quickly. thank| you very much. before we move on let's just give you a chance to hear again, in case you didn't hear it a few minutes ago, matt hancock's on camera statement which she recorded himself at home and put it on his twitter account. himself at home and put it on his twitteraccount. here himself at home and put it on his twitter account. here it is. i have been to see the prime minister to resign as secretary of state for health and i understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody in this country has made, that you have made, and those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them and that's why i have got to resign. i want to thank people

for their incredible sacrifices and what they have done. everybody working in the nhs, across social care, everyone involved in the vaccine programme and frankly, everybody in this country. who has risen to the challenges that we have seen over this past 18 months. i'm very proud of what we have done to protect the nhs at the peak, to deliver that vaccine roll—out, one of the fastest in the world. and i look forward to supporting the government and the prime minister from the backbenches to make sure that we can get out of this pandemic. we are so close to the end and then build back better so that this country can fulfil its potential, which is so great and i will do that with all of my heart.

the shadow health secretary is jonathan ashworth, hejoins me now. we just heard from one of your county conservative colleagues. what is your reaction to this? matt hancock has _ is your reaction to this? matt hancock has done _ is your reaction to this? matt hancock has done the - is your reaction to this? matt hancock has done the right i is your reaction to this? i�*c'ié�*iiii hancock has done the right thing for himself, for the country in the nhs. but to be frank, it shouldn't have come to this. borisjohnson should have shown in the guts, the spine, the awareness to have sacked him on friday. you cannot have health secretary designs rules so blatantly breaking the rules on the way that he did because we need people to adhere to these rules. we are still in a pandemic and public health crisis. and although it is obviously a personal tragedy for matt hancock

and he has been entirely courteous with me and on that respect i sent in my best wishes in that respect but he should have gone yesterday. that would have been far better. instead downing street said they are drawing a line under it and neither saying he chose to resign. matt borisjohnson did not sack him. he is now exposed as failing the test of leadership in demonstrating the most appalling judgment. fin of leadership in demonstrating the most appalling judgment.- most appalling 'udgment. on the ruestion most appalling 'udgment. on the question of — most appalling 'udgment. on the question of mr i most appalling judgment. on the question of mr hancock's - most appalling judgment. on the i question of mr hancock'sjudgment, question of mr hancock's judgment, we are told that his adviser, the woman he was photographed with in these pictures from inside the department of health is leaving her job on the board of the department of health, what questions does that raise that you want to pursue in the house of commons?— house of commons? welcomer to stat tterin house of commons? welcomer to staggering she — house of commons? welcomer to staggering she was _ house of commons? welcomer to staggering she was appointed i house of commons? welcomer to staggering she was appointed to i house of commons? welcomer to i staggering she was appointed to that position in the first place. the way in which the appointment was made

was highly murky and lacking any transparency. it is naturally, in the past 24 hour there's been a lot of innuendo about it but she have remained in place and she should not have been on that board, in that role in the first place anyway. there will be questions in how she got to that role and what the process was. we were putting down questions asking for all the recruitment details to be published but again it is the correct thing that she has resigned and she should not have been there.— not have been there. there is an attem tt not have been there. there is an attempt to _ not have been there. there is an attempt to create _ not have been there. there is an attempt to create an _ not have been there. there is an attempt to create an oversight i not have been there. there is an. attempt to create an oversight for the operation of the department. presumably people are now questioning how other people get on these boards and other departments as well. ~ . ., these boards and other departments as well. . _, ., as well. welcome indeed. the whole trocess as well. welcome indeed. the whole process around _ as well. welcome indeed. the whole process around these _ as well. welcome indeed. the whole process around these board - as well. welcome indeed. the whole process around these board has i process around these board has become entirely lacking in transparency and people should be appointed to the sorts of public roles based on merit. that does not seem to happen. it looks like

cronies, friends, i will be seen this case a very close friend of the ministers who get these plum jobs. it stinks, really. it should not be allowed to happen. there are questions around the appointment processes for these nonexecutive directors of departments which we will be raising in the coming days in parliament. the will be raising in the coming days in parliament.— will be raising in the coming days in parliament. , ., , ., in parliament. the liberal democrat leader tweeted _ in parliament. the liberal democrat leader tweeted that _ in parliament. the liberal democrat leader tweeted that it _ in parliament. the liberal democrat leader tweeted that it has _ in parliament. the liberal democrat leader tweeted that it has shown i leader tweeted that it has shown cronyism and failure. is that fair. yes it is. the thing that strikes me about this is we are all focusing on the details of the last 24—hour is but throughout the crisis matt hancock has demonstrated that he was unfit for this role. he failed to protect our care homes and that is a devastating consequences. we sent our nhs staff and to the face of this deadly virus without adequate ppe. our test and trace system has been a shambles and we still don't

pay people to isolate themselves properly. we allowed our borders to be as secure as a server now the delta variant only reached our shores but growing quite considerably. it is a record of failure and on top of that, we have now got waiting lists at record highs, 5 million on waiting lists and people waiting longerfor cancer treatments and young people struggling to get mental health treatment. over 2000 people waiting over two years for an operational treatment. that is staggering. can you imagine being in pain and anxiety and having to wait another two years for treatment. hundreds of thousands of people waiting over one yearfor thousands of people waiting over one year for treatment. awaiting this thousands of people waiting over one yearfor treatment. awaiting this is so massive you can see them from outer space so this a record of failure and this is the challenge of the new health secretary to drive down the waiting list and deliver quality care that people in this country deserve.— quality care that people in this country deserve. quality care that people in this count deserve. ., ,, , ., , . country deserve. thank you very much for beint country deserve. thank you very much for being with — country deserve. thank you very much for being with us. _ country deserve. thank you very much for being with us. let's _ country deserve. thank you very much for being with us. let's talk— country deserve. thank you very much for being with us. let's talk now i country deserve. thank you very much for being with us. let's talk now to i for being with us. let's talk now to one of the relatives of those who

died as a result of the pandemic. thank you very much for being with those. what do you make of his decision to resign because he understands, he says, you cannot ask people to make sacrifices under rules and then break the rules yourself. it rules and then break the rules ourself. . rules and then break the rules ourself. , ., , , ., yourself. it is absolutely right and it is absolutely _ yourself. it is absolutely right and it is absolutely right _ yourself. it is absolutely right and it is absolutely right that - yourself. it is absolutely right and it is absolutely right that he i yourself. it is absolutely right and it is absolutely right that he has i it is absolutely right that he has resigned — it is absolutely right that he has resigned. we it is absolutely right that he has resitned.~ , , it is absolutely right that he has resitned. . , ., resigned. we suppose it did not ha- ten resigned. we suppose it did not happen sooner? _ resigned. we suppose it did not happen sooner? yes. _ resigned. we suppose it did not happen sooner? yes. i- resigned. we suppose it did not happen sooner? yes. i was i resigned. we suppose it did not i happen sooner? yes. i was actually sur-rised happen sooner? yes. i was actually surprised he _ happen sooner? yes. i was actually surprised he was _ happen sooner? yes. i was actually surprised he was not _ happen sooner? yes. i was actually surprised he was not fired - happen sooner? yes. i was actually surprised he was not fired monthsi surprised he was not fired months ago. _ surprised he was not fired months ago. quite — surprised he was not fired months ago, quite frankly. but surprised he was not fired months ago, quite frankly.— surprised he was not fired months ago, quite frankly. but in terms of this particular _ ago, quite frankly. but in terms of this particular story _ ago, quite frankly. but in terms of this particular story this _ ago, quite frankly. but in terms of this particular story this weekend i this particular story this weekend with the papers on friday and with shots of him in an embrace with his friend inside the department of health given what the rule said, from your point of view is that the last story, is that quite trivial in the context of your criticism of the

government? i the context of your criticism of the government?— government? i think it is the last straw but many _ government? i think it is the last straw but many of _ government? i think it is the last straw but many of us _ government? i think it is the last straw but many of us are - government? i think it is the last i straw but many of us are wondering why it _ straw but many of us are wondering why it has _ straw but many of us are wondering why it has taken a personal scandal for the _ why it has taken a personal scandal for the health secretary to resign when _ for the health secretary to resign when he — for the health secretary to resign when he has such an appalling record as the _ when he has such an appalling record as the health secretary. the bungled test and _ as the health secretary. the bungled test and trace, ppe procurement. it has been — test and trace, ppe procurement. it has been a _ test and trace, ppe procurement. it has been a catalogue of absolute disaster~ — has been a catalogue of absolute disaster. ~ . . disaster. the prime minister in his letter said he _ disaster. the prime minister in his letter said he should _ disaster. the prime minister in his letter said he should leave - disaster. the prime minister in his letter said he should leave office i letter said he should leave office very proud of what he achieved not just in tackling the pandemic but even before covid struck. i fail just in tackling the pandemic but even before covid struck. i fail to see what he _ even before covid struck. i fail to see what he should _ even before covid struck. i fail to see what he should be _ even before covid struck. i fail to see what he should be proud i even before covid struck. i fail to see what he should be proud of i even before covid struck. i fail to i see what he should be proud of other than perhaps the vaccine roll—out which _ than perhaps the vaccine roll—out which has — than perhaps the vaccine roll—out which has been very effective. other than that— which has been very effective. other than that i_ which has been very effective. other than that i really cannot see anything _ than that i really cannot see anything from matt hancock to be proud _ anything from matt hancock to be proud of — anything from matt hancock to be troud of. ~ ., anything from matt hancock to be troud of. . ., , ., proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. _ proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i— proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i use _ proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i use it _ proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i use it as - proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i use it as one i proud of. what, there will be a new health secretary. i use it as one of| health secretary. i use it as one of the relatives, of one of the many families have suffered as part of

this pandemic but what are you expecting? what would you hope the person who takes the job will learn from what has happened in the last year? but as with the plan for the future, notjust for the immediate crisis. future, not 'ust for the immediate crisis. ~ future, not 'ust for the immediate crisis. . ., , , ~ ., crisis. welcome absolutely. and what we have been — crisis. welcome absolutely. and what we have been campaigning _ crisis. welcome absolutely. and what we have been campaigning for i crisis. welcome absolutely. and what we have been campaigning for is i crisis. welcome absolutely. and what we have been campaigning for is a i we have been campaigning for is a vapid _ we have been campaigning for is a vapid review and we we want a public enquiry— vapid review and we we want a public enquiry to— vapid review and we we want a public enquiry to start much sooner. next it is way— enquiry to start much sooner. next it is way too— enquiry to start much sooner. next it is way too late. a decent start immediately precisely so that lessons — immediately precisely so that lessons can be learned. and immediately precisely so that lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now. — lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now. do _ lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now, do you _ lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now, do you have, _ lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now, do you have, i - lessons can be learned. and tommy in terms of now, do you have, i mean, i terms of now, do you have, i mean, the man responsible for the vaccination programme at the moment, with he make sense of your point of view to move him into thejob rather than can worry about getting someone else up to speed on the subject? that is something i cannot comment on. ., . that is something i cannot comment on, ., , ., ., that is something i cannot comment on. ., , ., ., ., ~ that is something i cannot comment on. that is fair enough. thank you very much — on. that is fair enough. thank you very much for— on. that is fair enough. thank you very much for talking _ on. that is fair enough. thank you very much for talking to _ on. that is fair enough. thank you very much for talking to us i on. that is fair enough. thank you very much for talking to us here i on. that is fair enough. thank you | very much for talking to us here on bbc news. in giving us your reaction but i'm sorry we had to keep you waiting for a few minutes there. it

waiting for a few minutes there. it is ok, thank you. we _ waiting for a few minutes there. it is ok, thank you. we will- waiting for a few minutes there. it is ok, thank you. we will have i waiting for a few minutes there. it i is ok, thank you. we will have more on that in just _ is ok, thank you. we will have more on that in just a _ is ok, thank you. we will have more on that in just a few— is ok, thank you. we will have more on that in just a few minutes' i is ok, thank you. we will have more on that in just a few minutes' time. | on that in just a few minutes' time. he was on bbc one will be hearing from clive mhairi in a minute with and i will be back under the weather. the first half of the weekend has brought some decent dry weather for many and spells of sunshine, too. this was how it looked that one of our weather watchers this afternoon on the south coast of england. i suspect tomorrow it will look a bit cloudier and it will be wetter, too. someone in the south with a drier, sunnier conditions for the north. this is the earlier satellite picture and you can see slow—moving area of low pressure that will start to throw rain northwards across the channel islands and into southern counties of england as we had dinner this evening and tonight. the further north you are it stays dry. fairly large amounts of cloud but clear spells, too. lowest temperatures across the far north of scotland. five or 6 degrees. it would be my orderfor the five or 6 degrees. it would be my order for the south especially where we have more in the way of cloud. so, into tomorrow we will see

outbreaks of showery rain across the channel islands getting to southern counties of england. perhaps the odd heavy thundery burst here throughout the midlands, parts of wales and further north for northern ireland and scotland drivers some sunshine and scotland drivers some sunshine and the odd spot of rain in the far north—west of scotland. temperatures not doing too badly. 20 degrees for glasgow. 23 for london. and as we head into the evening we will see some of this heavy rain drifting a little further northwards across the midlands, wales, may be fringing at northern and then for a time. as a slow—moving area of low pressure just continues to spin around. so, on monday, expect further outbreaks of rain especially in parts of wales and south—west england. some showers breaking out across other parts of england, east anglia, the midlands, may be up to parts of northern england. the further north you are certainly for northern ireland and scotland it is mainly fine with some sunshine and at the stage, the highest temperatures are likely to

be in western scotland, up to around 23 degrees. of course, wimbledon kicks off on monday and i suspect we could see some interruptions on the place. suddenly on the first few days with further outbreaks of rain at times. as i area of low pressure just continues to turn around. these frontal systems are drifting northwards from time to time. i have pressure further north, though, and thatis pressure further north, though, and that is where we will see the best of the dry, sunny and indeed warm weather. i attempt us again in scotland. 25 degrees. always with a chance of rain further south.

matt hancock has resigned. pressure had been mounting for him to step down throughout the day. in a letter to i understand the enormous sacrifices that everyone in this country has made. that you have made. and those of us who make these rules have got

to stick by them and that is why i have got to resign.