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Matt Hancock apologises again for breaking Covid rules as health secretary

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has told the BBC he understands why people were angry at him over breaking social distancing rules brought in under coronavirus.

He said he found that people "had been forgiving" over his breaking of the restrictions, but called his mistake a "failure of leadership".

6 December 2021

Conservative Party

Coronavirus lockdown measures

Matthew Hancock

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Angela Rayner at the dispatch box in the Commons at PMQs

PMQs: Deputies clash over latest inflation figures

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

Watch: PM and Badenoch react to Trump's victory at PMQs

Leading Tory party 'is the most enormous honour'

Baron Mackinlay of Richborough in formal robes shaking hands in the House of Lords.

'Bionic lord' takes up seat in Parliament

Boris Johnson wearing a suit and headphones speaking into a mic in a BBC radio studio

Watch: Fiery exchange as Boris Johnson asked if he is a 'liar'

Former Conservative MP David Duguid

David Duguid: 'Tories made wrong call dropping me'

Tom Tugendhat

Tom Tugendhat vows to 'rebuild' the Conservative Party

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer's first PMQs as prime minister... in 90 seconds

Wales general election roundup

What happened in the general election in Wales?

Rishi Sunak speaking during constituency declaration in Richmond

Sunak - 'I take responsibility for the loss'

Robert Buckland

Ex-Welsh secretary 'fed up' with 'cheap populism'

Andrew RT Davies wearing a blue suit and tie

Welsh Tory leader's anger over party 'shenanigans'

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer

Election 2024 campaign: Do you remember these highlights?

Scotland Politics

Sir John Curtice

Sir John Curtice: Tories still behind Labour... in 60 seconds

Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak

Sunak v Starmer: PM candidates clash over immigration, tax and Brexit

Andrea Leadsom and Sarah Jones

Leadsom would not campaign for election bet candidates

Ros Atkins

Ros Atkins: Is Brexit still important to voters?

David TC Davies

Senior Tory says polls suggest big Labour win

Henry Zeffman

Henry Zeffman: Will falling inflation change minds on the campaign trail?

john caudwell

Watch: Major Tory donor says Labour are 'best for Britain'

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.