Oh dear. As part of his comeback tour, Matt Hancock is trying every trick to aid his post-Gina rehabilitation. There has been talk of a self-justificatory book, cringeworthy Twitter clips of him doing meet and greets, an appearance at the Capital Jingle Bell Ball in a dreadful turtleneck, backbench interventions and even talk of him mounting a leadership bid. But it seems one of Hancock’s stunts has backfired somewhat, after the master of the breast stroke was last week spotted taking a dip in the open-water swimming site of the Serpentine.
For while Hancock, a guest of member and fellow former minister Lord Bethell, was keen to milk the conveniently-placed photographer’s snaps for all they were worth, members of the Serpentine haven’t taken too kindly to their club being used to launder Hancock’s reputation. First, the committee fired off a sternly-worded tweet just hours after the former Health Secretary was seen frolicking in the water, declaring that ‘Serpentine swimming is strictly for members only, and no guests permitted.’
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