Matt Hancock’s leaked Whatsapps concerning the Covid-19 pandemic usually are not a topic for a knowledge breach investigation “at this stage”, a high regulator has stated.

Journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who labored with former well being secretary Hancock on his e-book, Pandemic Diaries, handed over hundreds of Whatsapp messages to the Telegraph.

The paper printed claims together with that Hancock rejected care dwelling take a look at recommendation and that then-education secretary Gavin Williamson stated lecturers needed an “excuse” to not work.

However watchdog the Info Commissioner’s Workplace (ICO) – which screens knowledge safety regulation compliance, together with GDPR – stated the disclosures weren’t a “matter” for them.

A spokesperson stated: “At this stage we don’t see this as a matter for the ICO however there are questions across the circumstances on which departing members of presidency retain and subsequently use official info which have to be thought-about by organisations such because the Cupboard Workplace.”

In an announcement right this moment, Hancock stated: “I’m massively disillusioned and unhappy on the huge betrayal and breach of belief by Isabel Oakeshott.”

He added: “There’s completely no public curiosity case for this enormous breach.”

Hancock stated his working relationship with Oakeshott was primarily based on “authorized confidentiality” and “a course of authorized by the Cupboard Workplace” however he stated she had “damaged that belief”.

Oakeshott additionally claimed the MP had despatched her a “menacing” message prematurely of the leak – which he refuted, however stated he had instructed her the leak was a “huge mistake”.

The ICO spokesperson stated there have been exemptions round journalism and public curiosity points.

They stated protection “increase[s] questions concerning the dangers that using Whatsapp and different non-public channels convey, notably round transparency.

“Final yr, the ICO known as for a overview into using non-public messaging apps inside authorities, and we might reiterate that decision right this moment.

“Public officers ought to be capable of present their workings, by correct recording of choices and the FoI Act, to make sure belief in these selections is secured and classes learnt for the longer term.”