Matt Hancock defends using taxpayer-funded Jaguar for Covid Inquiry appearances
The West Suffolk MP was Health Secretary during the pandemic
Last updated 13th Feb 2024
West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock's defending using a taxpayer-funded Jaguar to take him to the COVID Inquiry - despite resigning from the government more than two years ago.
The Department for Health confirmed it provided the former health secretary with the chauffeur-driven car on three occasions when he appeared before the inquiry in June, November and December last year.
The information's come to light following a Freedom of Information request, which the Daily Mirror submitted to the government.
The newspaper said that, although the cost of providing the car was not revealed, taxpayer money was used to fund it.
A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said it was "entirely reasonable" for the government to provide transport to and from the inquiry: "Matt attended the COVID Inquiry entirely in his capacity as having been the secretary of state during the pandemic.
"It is entirely reasonable that the government should take care of his travel and security arrangements in this instance."
Matt Hancock is currently sitting as an independent MP in the Commons, after he lost the Tory party whip for appearing on ITV's I'm A Celebrity reality TV show.
In December 2022 he announced he would not stand for the Conservatives in the next general election.