‘Transgressions’ in personal life may have affected public’s confidence in Covid rules, Matt Hancock tells inquiry – as it happened

Health secretary during pandemic accepts that consequences of rule-breaking' may have affected public's propensity to adhere to rules'

Matt Hancock has told the UK Covid inquiry that long Covid is an issue close to his heart".

Inquiry counsel Hugo Keith said Hancock's witness statement to the inquiry makes plain" that from an early stage" he asked NHS England to consider the issue of long Covid.

I was alive to it from before the infection reached our shores.

Chris Whitty raised the concern about the potential of some kind of post-viral fatigue syndrome, which happens with other viruses as well.

I'm sure you acknowledge the incredible offence and upset that was caused by that revelation.

Well, what I'd say is that the lesson for the future is very clear. And it is important that those who make the rules abide by them, and I resigned in order to take accountability for my failure to do.

Yes.