Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson on Radio 4 as she defends Matt Hancock leak
Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson on Radio 4 as she defends Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp leak as ex-Health minister denies sending her ‘threatening message’
The journalist who leaked Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp messages today clashed with Nick Robinson on Radio 4 today as she defended the public disclosure.
Isabel Oakeshott, who co-wrote the former health minister’s pandemic diaries, told the Today program that her responsibilities “are now in the public interest.”
The reporter doubled down on her claim that Mr Hancock had sent her a ‘threatening’ message following the publication in the Daily Telegraph – although he firmly denies this.
Mr Hancock said this morning he is “extremely disappointed” by what he called a “massive betrayal and breach of trust by Isabel Oakeshott”.
In a fiery interview, she said, “This is about the millions of people, all of us in this country, who have been adversely affected by the catastrophic decisions to repeatedly shut down this country, often on the weakest evidence, for political reasons. .’
Isabel Oakeshott, who co-wrote the former health minister’s pandemic diaries, told the Today program that her responsibilities “are now in the public interest”
Matt Hancock attends a virtual press conference at 10 Downing Street in 2021
Since the unprecedented leak of 100,000 messages, the former health minister has found himself at the center of a growing political storm, likely to lead to private discussions involving dozens of ministers and officials.
Mr Hancock immediately came under fire from next of kin after reports were released suggesting he had rejected official advice to test all residents entering care homes – a claim he vehemently disputes.