Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock given United Nations role

Controversial: Politics & Govt Politics & Govt: In The News
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The Under Secretary General of the UN, Vera Songwe, praised his “success” in tackling the UK’s pandemic response.

Mr Hancock’s official title will be “UN special representative on financial innovation and climate change for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa”.

His new role will be unpaid and he will continue as a Conservative MP.

Mr Hancock said he was “honoured” to be appointed and would help “promote sustainable development”, alongside working on the economic recovery.

Ms Songwe said the UN had been working with people across the world on Africa’s climate actions and resilient recovery - and that she wanted to appoint Mr Hancock “given your global leadership, advocacy reach and in depth understanding of government processes through your various ministerial cabinet roles”.

I’m sure that Hancock’s financial expertise in spending other people’s money will be an asset to the UN and its’ commitments in Africa.

:expressionless:

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I expect his expenses will tide him over.

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As long as he can get use to business class all the way … :neutral_face:

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The UN has now told him the appointment “is not being taken forward”.

The West Suffolk MP faced a backlash from critics on social media, who pointed to the fact that a highly critical report from MPs on the UK government’s handling of the pandemic had been released on the same day.

Leading figures across Africa and UK opposition parties had criticised the UN’s choice of the MP for the role.

Mr Hancock was not available for comment.

How humiliating for Hancock but he was obviously the wrong choice.