Matt Hancock is really struggling to get his words out today!

[Teddypops]

Gosh he is struggling. Forgot the name of one of the advisers.

[Jellykat]

So a british company had to sell PPE to Europe, after repeatedly contacting our government and getting no replies whatsoever.. Meanwhile the PPE the government did buy is still in Turkey.

You couldn't make it up..

Hancock should be bloody ashamed!

[woodchuck99]

And on when the UK actually ordered PPE from Turkey (acc to 2 Turkish sources):

They would say that the wouldn't they? Obviously we don't know for sure who is lying but I'd put my money on the suppliers having been in the position of being let down and then having to hear the excuses/lies.

[Genevieva]

I think he is probably exhausted and, on top of that, realising that he has the poisoned chalice. I was told from some one in his constituency who doesn't usually vote conservative that he is an excellent local MP - very bright, very considerate. They thought he would go far. But I suspect Health Secretary is not the route to the top at the best of times. Right now it is the most stressful job in government because he can be held personally responsible for any failings, anywhere in government and anywhere in the country.

[PicsInRed]

When he looked close to tears and actually choked up during that "care" speech, in which he referred to the poor 13 year old boy who died and said as the father to another 13 year old boy that tragedy had made him weep ... it's clear this man is a normal person, not a psychopath and he will be doing all nighters and be absolutely mentally and physically exhausted. I would imagine the weight of responsibility re: such a death toll must be horrific. No doubt senior ministers are also privy to frightening information we aren't privy to.

On another note, last time a minister seemed shaky (Dominic Raab), Boris had gone downhill.

Where's Boris? He alright?

[LockdownLucy]

I think if Boris is well enough to talk to Trump (that wouldn't be possible if he was really ill) and walk the fucking dog around Chequers - he needs to step in and start to lead again because these ministers are clearly running on fumes and Eton or not, it's not fair on them - or their partners and children. He's got form for taking the long holiday when needed.

[AuldAlliance]

I'd put my money on the suppliers having been in the position of being let down
I didn't get this, sorry.
The suppliers are the Turkish companies...whose lies or excuses are they having to hear?

I specified the source of that quote because of course it is unverifiable. Unlike Simon McDonald's recorded words.

[Whattodowhattodooo]

I always feel happy when either Whitty, Vallance or Harries are up on the podium. They always seem to have their shit together and never get flustered.

[MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing]

Sorry for Hancock?

He's a long way down my list.

[Inkpaperstars]

Thanks Auld

[The80sweregreat]

Sorry is the wrong word here but I do think he looks ill.

[LilacTree1]

“ On another note, last time a minister seemed shaky (Dominic Raab), Boris had gone downhill.”

Oh shit, that would be a catastrophe.

But Hancock wouldn’t be so shaky over that, I hope.

[tootyfruitypickle]

I found him the only reassuring voice early on. There’s an entire civil service machine the slowness of cogs moving is not solely down to him. I suspect yes that he is just utterly shattered, he’s been ill. He’s looked like this a couple of times before in interviews just not in the press conference . That was a car crash-he seemed to completely lose his way after Laura K’s question and go blank.

Yes Rishi is far better at presentation and has been so impressive. I thought he was a slimy so and so in the election but have changed my mind-he clearly knows his stuff and has the confidence to sell his measures because of that.

[MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing]

And reports on all your local news shows about kids going into schools to make face-sheilds for the NHS in CDT because the hospitals are phoning round begging for supplies.

Dib Dib Dib and all that, but is that all that stands between us and the void: Year 9 giving up their Easter holidays?

[rwalker]

Think he's problem had enough the constant goading and criticism must get to him .
At a time like this think everyone should be on board and offering help and solutions . All he gets is a kicking.
Shadow MH was being interviewed very critical pointing out every short coming when asked what she would do differentBIG SILENCE and said it wasn't her job to tell the government what to do not one constructive solution offered.

[twinnywinny14]

I think we have to acknowledge the enormous toll this must be taking on the key players in this. As far as I am aware no other countries are getting daily briefings and the subsequent media grilling from their government. It must be a huge stress to carry

[joystir59]

All the lying is weighing on him

[LockdownLucy]

A commercial company took the order. The Turkish Government had then blocked exports. That's the impasse as far as I understand it.

[Teddypops]

It does make me wonder if there is some bad news afoot.

[Teddypops]

As in worse news than usual.

[ChipotleBlessing]

Absolute bollocks that the Shadow Mental Health Minister (an actual practising A and E doctor), doesn’t have suggestions for what to do. She’s been making them for ages.

[Littlemiss74]

He looked unwell to me, hardly surprising having had the virus and the pressure he is under. If I were his family I’d be worried about him.

[LuckyMarmiteLover]

I expect the penny has dropped that he will be the government’s scape goat.

[randomer]

probably ill.

[Bornlazy]

I think he’s having a Covid relapse and there’s no way they will want to admit that. He was back at work exactly seven days after his symptoms started saying that it was perfectly safe despite The WHO guidelines saying otherwise. He looked really unwell today.

[Teddypops]

Surely if he was ill they would have used someone else to do the news conference?