Matt Hancock has been accused of putting “headlines before front lines” after revelations about his handling of the nation’s coronavirus testing programme.

Leaked messages seen by The Telegraph showed how Mr Hancock expressed concerns that expanding testing in care homes could "get in the way" of his self-imposed target of 100,000 Covid tests per day.

On April 24, 2020, a civil servant in Mr Hancock's private office sent him a WhatsApp message passing on scientific advice that his department should “prioritise testing of asymptomatic staff and residents” in care homes where there had been a coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Hancock responded: “This is ok so long as it does not get in the way of actually fulfilling the capacity in testing.”

Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: “If details about how Hancock was more bothered about hitting his target on testing by possibly wasting tests that led to less capacity in care homes is true then imagine how those who lost loved ones in that week will feel.

“This lot its always headlines before front lines.”

A spokesman for Mr Hancock said the former Cabinet minister denied the “distorted account”.

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