Our government lost its moral compass a long time ago – again the taxpayer will suffer

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Matt Hancock has apologised for breaking Covid regulations, after a picture of him kissing his aide was published (EPA)

It appears to be perfectly acceptable to our secretary of health, Matt Hancock, to carry out an affair with a self-appointed member of staff in his government office, while preaching social distancing and receiving his salary from the taxpayers.

He also has the audacity to ask the public to give him privacy during this time, seeing as he is married with three children.

Our prime minister sees no problem and considers the issue “closed”. I can only assume that serial philanderer Boris Johnson considers this issue closed as he has much experience in such matters and sees “moving on” as the best tactic.

I suggest that our government lost its moral compass a long time ago. Unfortunately, it will be taxpayers who will carry the punishing costs for decades to come for this shameless government, seemingly only interested in self-preservation and gorging itself on the gravy train.

Gunter Straub

London

Sex laws

I have no time for Matt Hancock (my MP), but I do feel he has been caught breaking a completely unreasonable law (or rule, or guidance), as was government scientist Neil Ferguson before him.

The Dutch were wise enough to include an exemption for “sex buddies”, knowing full well that people would not put the centre of their emotional lives on hold for an indefinite period. 

For myself, I do not obey bad laws, any more than I do unconscionable orders. If Hancock has to go, it should not be for his transgressions so much as for his part in banning normal human interaction (including hugging) in the first place.

This has been the country’s greatest single assault on human rights in my lifetime, and was completely unnecessary. All that was needed was reasoned advice, leaving adults to judge their own circumstances.

Rachael Padman

Suffolk

Political arrogance

This country didn't abolish an absolutist monarchy some 300 years ago only to have an absolutist premiership take its place. 

The arrogance of the current occupant at No 10 in his refusal to sack Matt Hancock and his total indifference to the basic norms and standards governing our public life is truly appalling.

No doubt Boris Johnson and his sycophantic courtiers will feel able to ride rough over public opinion as they did after Dominic Cummings’s covert trip to Barnard Castle. But the PM is ignoring public sentiment yet again while alienating more of his Tory backbenchers, who are already twitchy over extending lockdown and the loss of Amersham and Chesham.

Sacking Hancock is a price worth paying when, by his own apparent admission, this particular health secretary is “useless”.

Perhaps this risky loyalty to Hancock is less about loyalty and more about self-preservation? Perhaps, like Cummings, Hancock has a bag of bombshell revelations around the management of the pandemic ready to lob the PM’s way should he be forced to quit.

Paul Dolan

Cheshire

Another option

On Thursday, there is the Batley and Spen by-election to elect a new member of parliament.

It was once held by the Labour Party, and yet talk is that the Conservatives could win.

Why on earth would people support the Conservatives? They have an awful track record, and at the moment we have Matt Hancock taking the mickey over the Covid restrictions, as did Dominic Cummings. Lead by example. Tell that to Boris Johnson.

The Liberal Democrats are the opposition to the Conservatives, not Labour.

Richard Grant

Ringwood

Difficult choices

Around 65 cases of the Delta variant have been discovered in Australia, resulting in lockdowns. In the UK we had more than 15,000 new cases in one day this week. With the rate doubling every few weeks, why is our government pursuing so-called test events and generally looking to ease all restrictions?

G Forward 

Stirling

News opinions

Andrew Neil, GB News presenter, is to take a rest from his job for a few weeks. The reason is a little obscure, but he admits that it has been a “rocky start” to the new television news service.

I hazard a guess that the public is awash with news of many hues through various media, and the type of presentation and unedifying content of some of GB News programmes have reduced the viewers to an unacceptable level for the backers and advertisers.

After watching GB News, just once, I didn’t think it offered me anything new as a news programme, so reverted back to my usual avenues of news reporting.

In my opinion, there is no way to make news reporting “sexy”, only more balanced and factual. When news presenters attempt to offer opinions, news balance and facts begin to get blurred. Which is why I got turned off when watching.

There are many and various news channels available offering better presentation and content. Perhaps Mr Neil ought to think about retiring while he still has a worthwhile reputation to consider.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke