An Epping Forest publican has alleged an ‘influential newspaper’ has asked him whether he was involved in leaking images of Matt Hancock’s steamy embrace with an aide.
The former health secretary resigned from his position in disgrace after CCTV footage showed him embrace and kiss close aide Gina Coladangelo in his office in breach of social distancing rules.
Initially when the story broke, Boris Johnson stood by him, accepting his apology and insisting the matter was closed.
However, Mr Hancock was forced resign after Conservative MPs made clear his position had become untenable.
Mr Hancock's apology video posted to Twitter
Adam Brooks, the owner of The Owl in High Beech and The Three Colts in Buckhurst Hill, yesterday (July 1) tweeted alleging he had been contacted by a newspaper enquiring whether he had supplied the footage to The Sun, who broke the story.
Mr Brooks has a large social media following, with almost 200,000 followers on Twitter, and has used his platform in recent months to call for businesses to be allowed to fully reopen.
He said: “There’s a rumour going around news desks that I somehow had a hand in the Hancock CCTV release. A very influential newspaper just called me and asked me the question. I’m laughing, but I’m now also worried, this has nothing to do with me.”
Mr Brooks owns two pubs
In response, The Sun’s Political Editor Harry Cole tweeted: “Guardian appear to be going through anyone I follow on Twitter and turning up at their workplaces in a bid to try shit on the Hancock story. Sad really.”
Mr Cole offered no evidence the paper referenced by Mr Brooks was The Guardian.
Security reviews have since been launched in Westminster after the leak.
The Sun broke the story
Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez told MPs that Whitehall security specialists were assisting the DHSC in their investigation into the leak.
She said the footage of Mr Hancock and Ms Coladangelo was filmed by departmental CCTV rather than a covert camera.
But Mr Javid told reporters the camera had now been disabled by the department.
Mr Hancock had personally employed Ms Coladangelo
“For security it’s just common sense,” he said.
“I don’t think, as a general rule, there should be cameras in the Secretary of State’s office.”
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