Matt Hancock categorically denied allegations made yesterday by Dominic Cummings that he lied over testing care home patients in the initial response to the pandemic.

Acknowledging the allegations as “serious”, the health secretary claimed they are “not true” and “unsubstantiated”.

Dominic Cummings claimed yesterday in his explosive committee hearing that Hancock was a serial liar and ‘should’ve been fired 15-20 times’ during the initial government response to the pandemic.