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       Related video: Camera that caught Matt Hancock kissing aide has been disabled, Sajid Javid says

       Matt Hancock’s conduct may have threatened the security of private government communications, the justice secretary has acknowledged.

       Leaked minutes from a meeting at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) were reported to show that Mr Hancock had been using an unofficial email account since March 2020.

       Asked whether Mr Hancock’s actions were a “huge security issue” that could potentially see hackers gain access to government communications, Robert Buckland told the BBC: “I agree, and that’s why I think it’s important that we use the systems that we are provided with.”

       Meanwhile, the new health secretary, Sajid Javid, has said the camera that caught Mr Hancock kissing an aide has been disabled.

       During a visit to St Thomas’ Hospital in London, he told broadcasters: “I haven’t disabled the camera that you are talking about but it has been disabled by the department. For security it’s just common sense.”

       Recommended Labour demands probe into ministerial use of private email accounts after Hancock report Dominic Cummings reignites feud with Sajid Javid as former chancellor replaces Matt Hancock Matt Hancock video leak to be investigated by Department of Health

       Key Points Labour calls for investigation into use of private email accounts ‘Groundswell of concern’ over Hancock behaviour – justice secretary Hancock’s conduct posed security threat, justice secretary admits MPs to grill government on CCTV leak Camera that filmed Hancock kiss has been disabled, says Javid

       Show latest update 1624879715 What do classified documents found at Kent bus stop reveal about Russia confrontation?

       A government investigation is under way after Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents containing details about a British warship’s controversial voyage off the Crimean coast were found at a bus stop in Kent.

       The 50-page file containing details of the Black Sea operation was discovered in a “soggy heap” behind a bus stop in Kent on Tuesday by a member of the public, according to the BBC.

       The MoD said it had been informed last week that “sensitive defence papers” has been recovered by a passer-by and shared with the public broadcaster. The ministry has now launched a probe.

       Here is the story:

       What do classified Russia documents found at Kent bus stop reveal? Papers suggest UK military prepared for hostile Russian response to ‘Op Ditroite’ voyage in Black Sea

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 12:28

       1624878454 ‘I’m not really sure why there was a camera in Hancock’s office' - Javid

       More on the comments from the new health secretary, Sajid Javid, who has said he unsure why there was a camera in Matt Hancock’s office.

       He said he was “sure there will be more to this as the whole incident is investigated”.

       Here is the full story:

       Sajid Javid says camera that caught Matt Hancock’s affair has been ‘disabled’ ‘I’m not really sure why there was one in office,’ says new health secretary

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 12:07

       1624877248 Sign up for The Independent’s free daily political newsletters

       The Independent produces two, free newsletters to guide you through all the political turmoil – from Brexit to the Covid crisis.

       Our daily morning Inside Politics newsletter is designed to keep you up to date on all the key developments and provides short, sharp analysis of what’s really going on.

       The morning briefing will arrive in your inbox every weekday at 8am and offers a wry look at the latest spats and wild statements, the best of the commentary happening on Twitter, as well as pointing you towards some of the finest long-reads and opinion pieces at The Independent and elsewhere.

       And at 6pm each day, our View from Westminster newsletter brings you the latest roundup from parliament.

       To find out more about both and to sign up, click here.

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 11:47

       1624876408 Camera that filmed Hancock kiss has been disabled, says Javid

       Sajid Javid, the new health secretary, has said the camera that caught Matt Hancock kissing an aide has been disabled.

       During a visit to St Thomas’ Hospital in London, he told broadcasters: “I haven’t disabled the camera that you are talking about but it has been disabled by the department.

       “For security it’s just common sense. I don’t think as a general rule there should be cameras in the secretary of state’s office.

       “I’ve never known that in the other five departments that I’ve run and I’m not really sure why there was one here but I’m sure there will be more to this as the whole incident is investigated.”

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 11:33

       1624875688 Will it help Boris Johnson if England does well in the Euros?

       If England win at Wembley on 11 July, will Boris Johnson, temporarily at least, get a football bounce to replace his fading vaccine boost in the opinion polls?

       Here our political commentator, John Rentoul, explores that question:

       Will it help Boris Johnson if England does well in the Euros? John Rentoul asks whether success on the sports field translates into national euphoria that benefits political leaders

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 11:21

       1624874928 MPs to grill government on CCTV leak

       Ministers are to face questions about “security arrangements relating to ministerial offices and communications” later on Monday in the Commons.

       Backbench Tory MP Peter Bone has been granted an urgent question on the issue following the leak of the CCTV footage which triggered Matt Hancock’s resignation as health secretary.

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 11:08

       1624874028 Hancock’s affair ‘tip of the iceberg' of Tory cronyism

       Matt Hancock’s affair with his aide is the “tip of the iceberg” of Tory cronyism, Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary, Ian Murray, has claimed.

       Mr Murray said the UK government still faces “major questions” about conflicts of interest, government contracts and the use of personal email accounts despite Mr Hancock’s resignation.

       Speaking on the BBC Good Morning Scotland programme, the Edinburgh South MP said: “It’s not just breaking the Covid rules, it’s not just the affair, it’s who planted secret cameras in the Secretary of State’s office, why has he being using private emails, who sold it to the newspapers?

       “All of that then leads into the big issues around the cronyism of PPE contracts; you were more likely to get a contract for PPE in the NHS if you knew Matthew Hancock rather whether or not you could actually supply and were an expert in it.”

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 10:53

       1624873248 Political commentator John Rentoul to host ‘Ask Me Anything’ live on Matt Hancock resignation

       Matt Hancock’s decision to resign as health secretary yesterday over his failure to comply with social distancing rules has left a sea of questions wide open in the aftermath.

       To name but a few - was he any good as health secretary? Why would a cabinet minister take such risks with their career? It has been confirmed former Chancellor Sajid Javid has replaced him - is he the right replacement?

       In a bid to help bring some clarity to the situation John Rentoul will answer your questions about the weekend’s drama.

       Click through to this story to find out more:

       Matt Hancock resignation: Political commentator John Rentoul to host ‘Ask Me Anything’ live Matt Hancock resigns and Sajid Javid has been named as his replacement within a matter of hours; the weekend’s events have left a myriad of questions surrounding the government and our chief political commentator John Rentoul will be on hand to answer as many as he can

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 10:40

       1624872395 Government hands Serco massive Covid contract

       The government has agreed a massive Covid contract with outsourcing giant Serco worth up to ￡322m to continue running testing sites for another year.

       Bosses said they signed a new deal with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to operate regional, local and mobile testing centres in England and Northern Ireland following a competitive tendering process.

       The value of the new 12-month contract, with the option of a six-month extension, could change significantly due to its flexibility to levels of demand in coming months, they added.

       It means Serco will continue operating around 20 per cent of sites across England and Northern Ireland, including drive-through and walk-in test centres, alongside mobile sites.

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 10:26

       1624871618 Hancock won’t take ￡16,000 severance pay - report

       Matt Hancock is reportedly set to decline the ￡16,000 severance pay he is entitled to by law.

       Under the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, ministers under the age of 65 are entitled to a quarter of their ministerial salary — regardless of whether they resign or are sacked — meaning Mr Hancock could be in line for around ￡16,876.

       Labour had said the public would be “appalled” that Mr Hancock, who dramatically resigned on Saturday, could be in line for the payout that all ministers typically receive when they leave office.

       The Daily Telegraph reported that Mr Hancock was understood not to be intending to take the sum.

       Tom Batchelor 28 June 2021 10:13

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