Ah, this is why he never bothered going on GMB before
Matt Hancock has refused to say whether or not he would accept a pay rise as a member of parliament.
Speaking to Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain – a show he and other government ministers avoided for over 200 days – the health secretary attempted to swerve the question numerous times, but Morgan demanded an answer.
“Let’s see what the final recommendation is and then…” Hancock said before being interrupted by Morgan.
“Why can’t you just say now you won’t take a pay rise?” Morgan asked.
“Well… Erm,” Hancock laughed in awkwardness. “I know, I’ll promise to commit to come back on this programme immediately after that decision comes,” he suggested, as if that is in any way a fair compromise with the British public.
“This is not a difficult question. I don’t care if they give you one pound extra. You know as well as I do that no member of this government, in particular, in a year of a global pandemic when we have the worst death toll in Europe, and the worst economic meltdown in Europe, none of you should be taking a penny in a pay rise,” Morgan said, before asking him again whether he was prepared to commit to not taking an extra penny.
“I will answer this question when the pay policy has been set out by the chancellor because there’s lots of speculation in the newspapers…” Hancock said again before the pair went back and forth over whether that policy matters or not.
“It’s very tempting [to say I won’t take an extra penny], it’s very tempting Piers. However, I’m a stickler, for not prejudging things…” he said before being interrupted again.
Should MPs take their £3,300 pay rise?@Piersmorgan asks Matt Hancock whether MPs should agree not to take a pay rise with the country going through a pandemic, repeatedly.
The Health Secretary says ‘it’s tempting’ to commit to not taking the pay rise. pic.twitter.com/m9ASBrHK2a
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) November 23, 2020
Piers then gave him one more chance to answer the question and tell people what they want to hear.
He refused.
'I ask you one last time to say 'I Matt Hancock do not want a penny extra'.' – @piersmorgan
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says in the past he has not taken pay rises but says he will wait for the independent body on MPs pay's ruling before committing. pic.twitter.com/IMISUguveC
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) November 23, 2020
