Matt Hancock faces claims he ignored care home testing advice in leaked WhatsApps

Matt Hancock allegedly failed to follow advice to test all people entering nursing homes during the pandemic, explosive messages suggested.

The former health secretary has furiously disputed suggestions he was ignoring clinical advice when he moved to make it compulsory to test those entering care homes from hospital, but not those who come from the community.

WhatsApp messages show Mr Hancock saying he doesn't think committing to testing community members - including care home staff - adds anything and 'muddys the waters ".

This was despite advice from Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty telling him there should be testing for "everyone entering care homes" in April 2020.

Testing has been put in place for all people entering nursing homes in August 2020.

Today Mr Hancock's spokesman said the messages had been 'tampered with to create a false story' that the top Tory had ignored clinical advice, adding: 'This is completely untrue. "

The spokesperson said the installment of posts offered a "distorted account" and was "rotated to fit an anti-lockdown program".

More than 45,000 people living in care homes died of Covid in England and Wales in the first two years of the pandemic (

Picture:

Jonathan Buckmaster)

The explosive row calls into question the government's insistence that it has always 'follow the science' during the pandemic.

A backlash is expected from families who have lost loved ones in nursing homes - and who have previously accused the government of neglecting their loved ones.

More than 45,000 people living in care homes died of Covid in England and Wales in the first two years of the pandemic.

In 2021, Mr Hancock told the health and social care select committee that 'the strongest route of the virus in care homes, unfortunately, is community transmission, so that's testing for the virus. staff who was the most important thing to ensure the safety of people in the care homes".

The revelations were reported last night by The Telegraph, which obtained over 100,000 WhatsApp messages sent between the then Health Secretary and other ministers and officials during the pandemic.

They contain 2.3 million words, and more controversial details of key decisions made by officials are expected to be released in the coming days.

The posts reportedly show the often flippant approach officials have taken to important decisions, including closing classrooms, introducing face masks in schools, as well as pro...