MATT Hancock has re-emerged in the Tory MP WhatsApp chats as he fights for his political career.
The former Health Secretary, 42, has been lying low since he left his wife to pursue a relationship with his former aide, Gina Coladangelo.
He quit his job in Government after HOAR published photographs of the pair together in his ministerial office.
But has stayed on as an MP, and is now trying to test the water with old colleagues, The Telegraph reports.
One MP said: “It was the first time he had popped up on the WhatsApp group since he resigned.
“He was thanking people for their support after he quit, and everyone was very nice to him, saying well done on the vaccine programme.”
MPs also suggested he had debated attending the annual Spectator magazine summer party, but was advised it was still “too soon” after the affair.
Mr Hancock has been staying in his Suffolk constituency, and is said to still be regularly seeing his kids.
Yesterday he was snapped picking up more belongings from the home he used to share with his wife and kids – including a coffee machine and clothes.
Hancock and Coladangelo, who has three children with her husband Oliver Tress, both left their spouses after their illicit liaison was uncovered.
On Thursday, Hancock, who was not wearing his wedding ring, was pictured collecting his belongings from his marital home in London.
Witnesses say his wife Martha was handing him the belongings during the visit to their home.
He arrived at 4pm but she did not let him into the house – with the pair only speaking on the doorstep.
He strolled along the footpath to his car carrying a box, with ‘Fragile – handle with care’ written on it, upside down.
A friend told the Mail on Sunday: “He is still very much together with Gina, but they are physically apart because of the intense media interest.”
The couple are also considering making a public appearance for pictures together in a bid to defuse the situation – as long as they are left in peace afterwards, the Mail reported.
They are also said to be conscious of the interests of their six children from their two marriages when making decisions about how to present their relationship.
Last week, it was reported that Hancock could face deselection in his West Suffolk constituency and lose his seat in the Commons over the fury caused by his affair.
Councillors in Newmarket passed a vote of no confidence in Hancock, with mayor Michael Jefferys passing a motion which claimed he had “neglected the best interests of his constituents”.
Mr Jefferys said he has been “dismayed” at Hancock’s performance as an MP and as health secretary, adding: “For someone in such a responsible position to then behave in the way that he has is for me the last straw.”
The former Cabinet minister has not been seen in Parliament since his affair was exposed.
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