Man arrested on suspicion of assaulting Matt Hancock on London Underground

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting and harassing Matt Hancock, the former Health Secretary, following an incident on the London Underground.

The 61-year-old was detained by officers from the British Transport Police after he allegedly challenged Mr Hancock at Westminster Tube station on Wednesday morning.

In a video posted online, the suspect could be seen filming as he repeatedly challenged the MP over his handling of the pandemic and the lockdown.

He could be heard swearing in front of other passengers as a female member of London underground staff pleaded with him to stop.

Mr Hancock, who recently appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here remained calm and at one stage could be heard saying: "I don’t think this aggression is appropriate."

A spokesman for Mr Hancock, who represents West Suffolk, described it an "unpleasant encounter".

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said they had received a report of a man being "assaulted and harassed" at the station next to the House of Commons before 9am.

The spokesman said: "A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and a public order offence and remains in custody."

Inquiries are ongoing.

Mr Hancock's spokesman said: "Both Transport for London staff and the British Transport Police were fantastic and the man has since been arrested."

He added "this sort of behaviour is a rare occurrence" and stressed the "importance of shutting down baseless misinformation which causes so much harm".

"Matt wants to put on record his thanks to TfL and the British Transport Police for their extraordinary work," the spokesman added.

At one stage during the exchange, which was filmed and posted online, the suspect challenges Mr Hancock over lockdown and brands him a "murderer".

After getting off the train, he appears to follow the MP, who turns and accuses him of pushing him.

Mr Hancock was forced to resign as health secretary in June 2021 when it emerged that he had allegedly breached social distancing rules while engaging in an affair with his advisor Gina Coladangelo.

He had the Tory whip removed following his announcement that he was taking part in the ITV reality TV show while the Commons was still sitting and has since announced his decision to stand down from parliament at the next election.