Ditch the declaration of love

Osborne’s resignation advice

George advised Osborne Matt Hancock to remove a declaration of love for his mistress from his resignation speech, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

After the affair with Gina Coladangelo became public, Mr Hancock told the former chancellor he was “thinking of going human” and apologising. On the evening that The Sun alerted Mr Hancock to the article it planned to run about his affair, Mr Hancock sent Mr Osborne a Whatsapp message, warning him “I may need your advice tmrw”. The former health secretary also sought advice from Mr Osborne on the video statement he planned to release announcing his resignation.

The former chancellor said: “It’s good – and emotional. [The] key question is whether you want to use the word ‘love’ – it feels a little awkward and premature. And you probably want to include the apology to your loved ones you have in the letter.”

The video – filmed 23 days after Mr Hancock says he began his affair with his aide – was omitted from leaked Whatsapps obtained by The Telegraph.

Their exchange during Mr Hancock’s crisis reveals the close relationship between the pair.