Matt Hancock laughing at Parliament's new self-test hub

You’ve got to be CHOKING! Matt Hancock bursts out laughing after swabbing his throat at Parliament’s new self-test hub… while Speaker Lindsay Hoyle looks unsure as his turn is next

• The Health Secretary volunteered to use the new facility in Westminster today
• Mr Hancock couldn’t stop laughing and received negative test in 45 minutes 
• Drop-in testing centre has been set up by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle 

Matt Hancock goofed around as he used the brand new Covid-19 testing centre opened for MPs and staff at the Houses of Parliament today.

The Health Secretary had some fun as he volunteered to use the walk-in facility in Westminster with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle watching behind him.

Mr Hancock couldn’t stop laughing as he sanitised his hands after getting serious as a nurse instructed him how to swab his nose and throat correctly. 

The new facility is open to all Parliament’s thousands of workers and 650 MPs, and returned a negative result for Mr Hancock within 45 minutes.

It came after Unison expressed concerns about safety of staff working at Westminster during the pandemic while Sir Lindsay has repeatedly urged MPs and staff to wear face coverings while walking around Parliament and voting.

Matt Hancock laughs as he sanitises his hands during his Covid-19 test at Parliament’s new walk-in centre

The Health Secretary listened to the nurse who instructed him how to correctly swab his throat

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle watched on intently as Mr Hancock carried out the test – which was negative and came back within 45 minutes

Sir Lindsay Hoyle speaks to staff at the new Covid-19 testing facility in the Houses of Parliament The voluntary walk-in test centre has been set up for MPs and parliament staff who have to travel into their offices in Westminster

The roll out of rapid Covid-19 testing for all MPs and staff working on the parliamentary estate has been hailed as a ‘great step forward’, by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The test, which involves swabs being taken from the nose and back of the throat, can produce results within 45 minutes. 

Sir Lindsay said: ‘While we have asked Members to participate in business virtually, and House staff on the estate to be kept to a bare minimum, we have to accept that some people need to be here.

‘So, I am really pleased we are now in a position to enable every MP and staff member the chance of a test, to help stop this awful virus in its tracks.’

Mr Hancock told MPs: ‘Across the whole country we’re expanding workplace testing, including here in Parliament itself.

‘This morning you (Speaker) and I together visited the new Covid testing site in Parliament… I took a test this morning, thankfully negative.’

Testing, which is booked by appointment, is only available for those who are required to attend the estate. Social distancing measures are in place throughout the process.

Passholders wanting to use it need to ensure they have no Covid symptoms and have their mobile phone with them to register that they have had a test on the Government website.

They should not have had anything to eat or drink for 30 minutes before the test, or tested positive for Covid in the last 90 days.

Parliamentary officials have been desperately hunting for ways to extend the capacity in the chamber, after it was slashed by social distancing rules.

Politicians complain that debates have become sterile and ministers are not being properly tested due to limited scope for spontaneous interventions and questions.

Public Health England has dictated that MPs must sit two metres apart, meaning that whereas hundreds could previous pack in, there is now only room for a maximum of 50.   

Politicians complain that Commons debates have become sterile and ministers are not being properly tested due to the 50-MP limit in the chamber (pictured, PMQs)

The scenes in the Commons during the pandemic have been a far cry from normal (pictured, Boris Johnson takes PMQs in September last year)

MPs are only allowed in the House if they are listed for a question or to take part in a particular debate.  

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle have been exploring the options for how to get more people into debates.

But PHE has advised that the only way of increasing numbers would be for MPs to wear masks in the chamber and give speeches sitting down.  

Another possibility being looked at recently was to use some of the seats in galleries around the famous green benches for politicians.

However, the plan ran into a snag when officials advised that only eight places could be added to the total, and each one was likely to cost around £35,000 due to asbestos issues when drilling into the ceiling to fit new microphones, which hang down above MPs’ heads. 

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