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The Independent UK

National

Adam Forrest

Matt Hancock wanted to ‘frighten the pants off’ public about Covid strain, leaked messages show

Matt Hancock Rishi Sunak Covid-19 Eat Out to Help Out Isabel Oakeshott Simon Case Boris Johnson

PA Archive

Matt Hancock told aides he wanted to “frighten the pants off everyone” about the Kent variant of Covid to ensure compliance with lockdown rules, leaked messages have revealed.

The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show the then-health secretary and others discussing how to use an announcement about the variant to scare the public into changing their behaviour.

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