Matt Hancock and Andrew Bridgen’s legal skirmish over Hancock’s “anti-vax” tweet has kicked off with an indecisive result. Hancock’s request to strike out Bridgen’s libel claim has been rejected today in the High Court – while Bridgen is told that his claim is defective and needs to be changed. Hancock’s team are claiming this as a victory…
“Matt welcomes the fact that a core part of Mr Bridgen’s absurd claim has been struck out as defective. Mr Bridgen has been told if he wants to put forward a non-defective case then he can do so, and if he does we will obviously continue to fight it, and are highly confident of winning. We will be seeking all relevant costs.“
Bridgen hits back and calls that rubbish – the judge gave him a “green light” to “improve our position“. He tells Guido that “once the human shield of Hancock is shot through it’s on to Sunak and the Conservative Party“. The usual fisticuff talk…
The legal point here surrounds whether Hancock’s tweet about the “disgusting and dangerous antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories spouted by a sitting MP” constitutes an “ordinary reference” or the much weaker “reference innuendo”. Mrs Justice Steyn is clear in her ruling that Bridgen can’t argue the former:
“The claimant’s pleading of reference is defective. However, the pleading is not only capable of being cured, it is highly likely that the claimant would have little difficulty establishing reference innuendo.“
The case will either be fought in full or be struck out at the next stage. Expect fireworks in a few months…
The painfully slow and costly Covid-19 public inquiry is cross-examining Reality TV star Matt Hancock today, who’s facing some robust questioning from Hugo Keith KC. Hancock is now claiming that he tried to convince Boris on the 13th March to lock down. Keith pointed out that Hancock’s own book states itself to be “meticulously pieced together” from all the evidence and “records all the relevant, important events“, yet includes “no reference” to the supposed lockdown conversation on the 13th March, alongside no other record of it taking place. Hancock’s defence: “I can remember it”…
Cummings has hit back, accusing Hancock of “flat out lying” because “he was still pushing Plan A herd immunity 13-15th“. Cummings says he kept Hancock out of a meeting on the 14th “bullsh*tting everybody about herd immunity” and arguing against a change of plan. Recollections will presumably continue to vary over Hancock’s two days of evidence…
Helen MacNamara reflects on asking Matt Hancock how he was coping in Spring 2020:
“He reassured me that he was ‘loving responsibility’ and to demonstrate this took up a batsman’s stance outside the Cabinet Room, and said, ‘they bowl them at me, I knock them away.”
Matt Hancock gets an intense beating on this week’s episode of SAS: Who Dares Wins, The Mirror reports. The former Health Secretary breaks two ribs in a bust-up with Love Island star Teddy Soares, who admits “it felt amazing. I couldn’t bring myself to go back to the UK without having kicked his ass. I didn’t feel guilty.” More than just the light ribbing Matt was expecting…
In another scene, Hancock is made to strip down to his pants, getting a dressing down by the interrogator who, referencing his infamous affair, barks:
“You’re not a good looking guy, are you? Pubes on your chest, moobs, so how did you do it, Matty, babe? What kind of a f***ing arrogant, c***-sucking answer is that, you weasel-faced c***?”
The show is set to air on Sunday at 9 p.m. Popcorn at the ready…
The first episode of TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins starring former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was released last night. It didn’t disappoint.
In a fierce cross-examination, Hancock was left sweating and squirming in his seat after interrogators pushed him on his handling of the pandemic. After commenting that Hancock “looked like [he was] about to get executed“, the interrogators didn’t hold back, saying: “you think you’re above the rules you established in this country…as far as I’m concerned you showed weak leadership“. Hancock came out with his usual reply, “I fell in love with somebody…” Popcorn at the ready…
Hancock’s back for another round of TV glory, with the trailer for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins finally releasing today. According to chief instructor Billy Billingham, Matt wasn’t given any slack in the gruelling show, revealing:
“In the interrogation bit, he gets destroyed, absolutely destroyed. At the time I thought, ‘Oh, hang on, maybe this is a bit much?’ But no, he deserved it.”
The series kicks off on 26th September. Matt claimed it was “one of the toughest physical and mental things” he’s ever done. The £45,000 cheque should help ease the pain…
