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Matt Hancock has had the Tory whip suspended with immediate effect after signing up for I’m A Celebrity. The former health secretary is set to take part in this year’s series of the ITV show.
Chief whip Simon Hart 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.”
A political ally of Mr Hancock said he seized an “incredibly opportunity” to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! because he “doesn’t expect to serve in Government again”.
They said the show’s producers have agreed with the West Suffolk MP that his constituents can communicate with him on “urgent” matters while he is in the jungle.
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 12 million 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.
“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 that Mr Hancock first turned down the opportunity to appear on the show because of the “instability” Government was facing at the time.
But they said he now believes the administration is “stable” and views his stint as an “amazing opportunity” to talk about issues he really cares about, they said.
The ally said: “When he was first approached to take part – while he was flattered and naturally curious – it didn’t take him too long to turn the opportunity down because of the instability Government was facing at the time.
“Now, though, the Government is stable. Rishi Sunak has made a great start and the whole of the Conservative Party is united behind him. Rishi has a big majority, so he can get his agenda through Parliament.
“Matt’s talked to the whips, in the same way any MP would when going on a foreign visit, which happens all the time. As I say, Matt doesn’t expect to serve in Government again, but he can support Rishi and the Government in different ways.
“This is an amazing opportunity to engage with the public and talk about issues he really cares about – including his dyslexia campaign.”
It comes after Nadine Dorries had the whip suspended when she appeared on the 2012 series of the ITV show.
Mr Hancock will follow in the footsteps of his Tory colleague by swapping Westminster for eating bugs in the Australian jungle.
The West Suffolk MP was forced to quit as health secretary last year after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office.
Mr Hancock was among supporters of Rishi Sunak who welcomed the new leader to Conservative headquarters last week but was overlooked for a ministerial job under the new PM.
He had also reportedly been considering a run to be chair of the Treasury Select Committee, but pulled out of the race on Monday.
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