Former chancellor Sajid Javid will replace Matt Hancock as Health Secretary, Downing Street has confirmed.
Hancock resigned earlier today (26 June) following the recent scandal over an alleged affair with aide Gina Coladangelo, saying in a video posted on social media that he has 'got' to step down.
Bromsgrove MP Javid, 51, previously served as Home Secretary from 2018 to 2019, and as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2019 to 2020 - having been replaced by Rishi Sunak in February last year.
Hancock tendered his resignation today in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which he apologised for his actions.
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He said: "The last thing I would want is for my private life to distract attention from the single-minded focus that is leading us out of this crisis.
"I want to reiterate my apology for breaking the guidance, and apologise to my family and loved ones for putting them through this."
According to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Coladangelo is also leaving her £15,000-a-year public position on the board of the Department for Health and Social Care.
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She had been made a non-executive director - a role that involves between 15 and 20 days of work each year - by Hancock, who she has reportedly known since they were at university together.
She is also the marketing and communications director of homeware and fashion chain Oliver Bonas, which was founded by her husband, Oliver Tress.
Hancock and Coladangelo were caught on camera in an alleged intimate moment, sparking speculation of an affair.
According to The Sun, the footage was taken in the office of the Department of Health in May of this year, which led to the pair being widely criticised for breaking social distancing rules at a time when hugging anyone outside of your household was discouraged.
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In a video announcing his resignation, Hancock said: "I've been to see the Prime Minister to resign as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
"I understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody in this country has made - that you have made. And those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them, and that's why I have got to resign.
"I want to thank people for their incredible sacrifices and what they've done. Everybody working in the NHS, across social care, everyone involved in the vaccine programme, and frankly everybody in this country, who has risen to the challenges that we've seen over the past 18 months."
PM Boris Johnson said he was 'sorry' to receive Hancock's resignation, adding: "I am grateful for your support and believe that your contribution to public service is far from over."
Featured Image Credit: PA/TwitterTopics: UK News, Matt Hancock