Matt Hancock has whip suspended after agreeing to join ‘I’m A Celebrity’ as contestant
Former health secretary Matt Hancock has had the whip suspended after a source close to him said he will be going on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Mr Hancock will be the 12th star to feature on the reality TV show and go into the jungle in Australia next week.
Chief Whip Simon Hart MP said: “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.”
Mr Hancock was health secretary during the COVID pandemic, but stepped down after breaching lockdown rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office with aide Gina Coladangelo.
The source said: “I’m A Celeb is the most watched show on TV.
“Matt doesn’t expect to serve in government again, so it’s an incredible opportunity for him to engage with the 12m Brits who tune in every single night.
“Matt has told the whips in parliament and he will use his time in the jungle to promote his dyslexia campaign.
More on I’m A Celebrity
“Matt has an excellent team working with him in West Suffolk, but producers have agreed that he can communicate with them if there’s an urgent constituency matter.”
The source added: “There are many ways to do the job of being an MP.
“Whether he’s in camp for one-day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.
“Where better to show the human side of those who make these decisions than with the most-watched programme on TV?”.
Members of Mr Hancock’s local Tory Party are less than pleased about his decision to fly to Australia to appear on the show.
Andy Drummond, the deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association, told the PA news agency: “I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis.
“Quote me. You can quote me [on] that.”
Mr Hancock will not be the first politician to enter the jungle.
Conservative MP Nadine Dorries took part in the twelfth season of I’m a Celebrity in 2012, coming 11th place.
Responding to Mr Hancock’s news she joked that at least “he doesn’t have to worry about George Osborne in No10 waiting to remove his whip when he gets back”.
Article source: https://news.sky.com/story/matt-hancock-to-join-im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here-as-contestant-12735587