Matt Hancock’s new job offer from the United Nations helping African economies recover from the coronavirus pandemic has been withdrawn, Sky News understands.
Just four days ago, the former health secretary announced on social media his new role as a United Nations special representative, saying he was “honoured” to have been appointed to the position.
But it is believed Mr Hancock, who resigned from his cabinet post in June for breaking social distancing guidelines by kissing his aide, will no longer be taking up the role.
Sky News understands that a major issue with the appointment is that the UN cannot appoint sitting parliamentarians and Mr Hancock has no plans to resign his West Suffolk constituency seat.
On Tuesday, he posted a copy of the letter from UN Under-Secretary General Vera Songwe offering him the unpaid role on Twitter.
In the letter, Ms Songwe praised Mr Hancock’s “success on the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration of vaccines”.
Mr Hancock posted: “Honoured to be appointed United Nations Special Representative. I’ll be working with the United Nations and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to help African economic recovery from the pandemic and promote sustainable development.”
Many of Mr Hancock’s former cabinet colleagues – including Housing Secretary Michael Gove, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and new Health Secretary Sajid Javid – went on social media to congratulate the former health secretary on his new appointment earlier this week.
Mr Hancock received criticism on Tuesday for announcing his new role on the same day that a highly-critical report into the handling of the pandemic was published
Mr Gove said: “Wishing Matt Hancock…
Source : skynews
