Jeremy Hunt told off by Speaker for breaking dress code during COVID video call

Watch: Jeremy Hunt rebuked by Speaker for breaking dress code

This is the moment the Speaker of the House told off a former minister for failing to adhere to the strict Commons dress code.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle berated Jeremy Hunt after the Conservative MP asked health secretary Matt Hancock a coronavirus-related question via video call on Wednesday.

Once Hunt had finished, he was quickly admonished for not wearing a tie and jacket.

Hoyle said: “Can I just remind members who are not in the chamber they should have the same dress code even though they are virtual.

“It is only fair we treat each other with the same respect.”

Hancock announced more areas of England would be placed under the strictest COVID-19 restrictions as a highly infectious variant of the virus is spreading across the country.

He said the Midlands, the North East, parts of the North West and parts of the South West would be moved into Tier 4 from 00.01 on Thursday.

Hospitality venues and non-essential shops are closed in Tier 4 and households cannot mix.

Hancock added: "The NHS (health service) is under very significant pressure; there are over 21,000 people in hospital with coronavirus right now.

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"Unfortunately this new variant is now spreading across most of England and cases are doubling fast. It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 4 to a wider area."

Hancock said three-quarters of England's population would be in the top tier from Thursday.

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