Furious Britons took to social media this morning to rage at Matt Hancock after CCTV exposed him kissing an aide - while telling the UK to stick to social distancing rules.
The Health Secretary, 42, was caught on camera in a passionate clinch with his hand rubbing the back and bottom of millionaire lobbyist Gina Coladangelo, 43, who was brought in as a taxpayer-funded advisor in March last year.
The incident is alleged to have taken place in the corridor outside his office at the Department for Health's headquarters in central London at around 3pm on May 6 this year - the day of the UK local elections and a week after his first coronavirus jab.
The kiss was also 13 days before the Government relaxed safety regulations including giving permission to hug.
In response, hundreds of people took to Twitter to give their views on the scandal, with many accusing the minister of hypocrisy, while others revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices they've made in order to stick to the rules.
The Health Secretary, 42, has been seen having a passionate clinch with millionaire lobbyist Gina Coladangelo (pictured here with Matt Hancock outside Downing Street in May), according to The Sun
One wrote: 'There are people that genuinely went months and months without hugging their families after following the advice of Matt Hancock... quite sad really!'
Another added: 'To be crystal clear, this picture was taken with 2m social distancing rules still in place at workplaces. The issue here is not Matt Hancock's infidelity - it's his world-beating hypocrisy. Write the rules. Tell the little people to obey. Then break them with impunity.'
A third tweeted: 'On 8th May, I didn't hug my aunt when I found out my dad had terminal cancer. Meanwhile on 6th May, Matt Hancock (the man who told me it was unsafe to hug) was all over his mistress in a Government building. So many times the COVID story has jumped the shark, but now enough.'
As Downing Street begins to deal with the fallout, the Health Secretary ran for cover and cancelled a public appearance today as he fought for his job.
At the time the image was captured, Mr Hancock is said to have checked the corridor is clear before closing the door, leaning on it to stop it opening before launching into their passionate embrace.
The Sun claims they have been having an affair that has been the talk of the department - but it is not known if they remain in a relationship that was a secret until today.
Mr Hancock has been married for 15 years to wife Martha, 44, and the couple have three children together.
Mrs Hancock looked sad and upset as she left the couple's home in north London this morning but didn't speak to reporters about her husband's alleged infidelity.
Her husband was nowhere to be seen, however, she was still wearing her wedding ring.
They were last seen together in public at the England vs Scotland Euro 2020 match at Wembley a week ago.
Communications director and lobbyist Mrs Coladangelo is a mother-of-three, whose husband Oliver Tress is the founder of clothing shop Oliver Bonas.
The shutters were closed at their £4.5million South London home this morning. She has been working as an advisor for Mr Hancock with one source saying: 'Before Matt does anything big, he'll speak to Gina'.
Martha Hancock looked sad and upset as she left the couple's north London home this morning after claims that her husband has been having a secret affair. She didn't comment
Mr Hancock has been married for 15 years to wife Martha, with whom he has three children
Mrs Coladangelo (pictured here with husband Oliver Tress - the founder of the Oliver Bonas clothing chain), who is a director and shareholder at lobbying firm Luther Pendragon
Matt Hancock smiles and laughs at his alleged lover as they leave the BBC after appearing on the Marr show in June
Mrs Coladangelo is friends with Matt Hancock's wife on Facebook and they have spent time together socially.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for the Health Secretary. A friend of Mr Hancock's reportedly told The Sun they had 'no comment' on the matter, but that 'no rules' had been breached.
Other sources claimed that Mr Hancock hopes to survive - but No 10 is yet to comment.
But a Whitehall whistleblower
