A man who tried to get a photograph with Chris Whitty in St James’s Park has said he’s been let down by Boris Johnson after being sacked from his job.
Lewis Hughes and friend Jonathan Chew put their arms around England’s chief medical officer as they asked for a photograph while filming the interaction.
The pair, both aged 24, were branded ‘despicable thugs’ by the Prime Minister as the video was widely shared online.
Now Hughes has apologised for chasing after Professor Whitty, revealing that he has ‘paid the price’ with his job.
He told the Sun: ‘If I made him feel uncomfortable, which it does look like I did, then I am sorry to him for that.
‘He is quite a timid, shy person and I think that is why he didn’t say, “Get off me”. If he had said that and I had realised how he felt, I wouldn’t have put my arm round him.’
The boxing enthusiast, from Romford Essex, says he ‘just wanted a selfie’ to show his mum and said there was ‘no malicious intent’.
Mr Hughes admitted having a few drinks with his friend before the incident, he said he feels ‘let down by Boris’ after being branded a thug.
He added: ‘I have never been in any trouble. Now I have to start from the beginning again and I loved my job.’
The Metropolitan Police are still investigating the incident – recorded as a common assault – and said officers spoke to all those involved and took their details.
Professor Whitty has said he does not want to make a formal complaint.
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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