Matt Hancock Admits Lockdown Should Have Come Sooner at UK Covid Inquiry
Three Weeks Too Late
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock faced the UK Covid inquiry and dropped a bombshell: the government should have locked down the country three weeks earlier than the fateful March 23, 2020 date. Hancock claimed acting sooner could have saved thousands of lives.
Hancock Hits Back at ‘False Allegations’
Defending himself against explosive claims from other witnesses, Hancock vehemently denied lying to colleagues during the pandemic. He branded these accusations as “false allegations” with no evidence backing them up. The former health chief stood firm and insisted his department acted appropriately under the pressure.
Accuses Dominic Cummings of Power Grab
In a dramatic twist, Hancock pointed the finger at Boris Johnson’s ex-aide Dominic Cummings, accusing him of trying to seize control during the crisis. Hancock said Cummings bypassed established emergency systems to centralise power in his own office—a move that shook Whitehall during the pandemic’s peak.
Calls for Better Testing and More Transparency
Looking ahead, Hancock pushed for a stronger, more reliable testing regime to prepare the UK for any future health emergencies. He also revealed he was kept in the dark about the controversial Eat Out to Help Out scheme launched in summer 2020. Additionally, Hancock admitted he opposed a “circuit breaker” lockdown as Covid cases surged in autumn 2020, showing his cautious approach amid rising infections.
