Matt Hancock affair: Two properties searched after CCTV images of ex-Health Sec leaked
ELECTRONIC devices have been seized following searches of homes today in relation to the leaking of the CCTV footage that led to Matt Hancock's downfall as Health Secretary, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has said.
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The watchdog is investigating an alleged data breach after images of the former Health Secretary kissing aide Gina Coladangelo were shared with a national newspaper. As part of their investigation, ICO teams said they searched two residential properties in the south of England this morning.
The ICO said the EMCOR Group, which provides CCTV services at the Department of Health and Social Care, submitted a breach report alleging the images were taken from the system without consent.
Investigators seized "personal computer equipment and electronic devices" as part of the investigation into breaches of the Data Protection Act.
The ICO has said it is investigating a breach of section 170 of the Data Protection Act, which covers the disclosure of personal data without consent.
This section does contain protection for otherwise unlawful disclosure of data in some circumstances if it “was justified as being in the public interest”.
Steve Eckersley, director of investigations at the ICO said: "It's vital that all people, including employees and visitors to public buildings, have trust and confidence in the protection of their personal data captured by CCTV.
"In these circumstances, the ICO aims to react swiftly and effectively to investigate where there is a risk that other people may have unlawfully obtained personal data.
"We have an ongoing investigation into criminal matters and will not be commenting further until it is concluded."
Despite the investigation, however, The Sun, which broke the story, defended the publication of the images.
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The newspaper's editor, Victoria Newton, said its news desk was contacted by "an angry whistle-blower" over the footage on June 23 before a reporter was "dispatched" to view it the following day.
Officials at the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said a CCTV camera was installed in the former Health Secretary's office following renovations in 2017.
Sajid Javid, who replaced Matt Hancock last month, said the camera had now been disabled by the department.
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Following the affair, Mr Hancock apologised for breaching social distancing rules, as the footage was filmed before the guidance on social contact was relaxed in early May.
But despite Boris Johnson initially standing by him, the West Suffolk MP resigned the following day following public outcry and pressure from Tory MPs.
Gina Coladangelo also resigned from her post as a non-executive director for the Department of Health and Social Care.
The investigation comes as the DHSC is being formally investigated by the data and information watchdog over the use of private email addresses by Ministers to undertake Government business.