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Matt Hancock has given hist first broadcast interview since his resignation in June.
The former Health Secretary was caught on camera kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo in his office, breaking social distancing rules.
He said: “I’d blown up every part of my life. I concentrated on my personal life first as you can probably imagine … I made the decision [to resign]."
Reflecting on his resignation he explained that he believed it was "clearly the right decision" for him to step down from his position.
He added "I just say sorry again for the failure. I let a lot of people down. I’m sorry to the people that I hurt.”
Matt Hancock also urged the UK to “test the hell out of ourselves” to “keep things open” over the Christmas period.
The former Health Secretary said it was “really important” that lateral flow tests “stay free”.
Mr Hancock added: “We’ve got the lateral flow tests that anybody can take, I took one this morning and then I ordered another box of seven. They are available free, it’s really important that they stay free, the tests.”
It comes as the Government announced that it has signed deals for 114 million Moderna and Pfizer jabs which will be delivered in 2022 and 2023.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the deals “future proof” the country’s vaccine programme.
They include 60 million additional doses of the Moderna vaccine and 54 million more Pfizer/BioNTech doses.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the deals include access to modified vaccines if they are needed to combat Omicron and future variants of concern.
It said the new deals are in addition to 35 million additional doses of Pfizer/BioNTech ordered in August for delivery in the second half of next year, and the 60 million Novavax and 7.5 million GSK/Sanofi doses expected in 2022.
Matt Hancock when asked if Dr Jenny Harries, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chief, was right to warn against unnecessary social interactions, said: “Saying things like we may need to go further on working from home is perfectly reasonable. But I don’t think we’re there yet.”
He added: “What I’d say on Christmas is we should test the hell out of ourselves… That is the way – best way – to just be really cautious and careful. And just get those tests – they are available free, and take them, and that will help to keep things open.”