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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Good Morning Britain in hot water for giving Matt Hancock 'airtime' as he pledges to house Ukraine refugees

Good Morning Britain has come under fire from viewers as Matt Hancock appeared on the programme.

Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley were joined by the former health secretary live in the studio during Tuesday's edition of the ITV news programme.

Mr Hancock's appearance on the show came after he revealed that he plans to welcome Ukrainian refugees into his Suffolk constituency home.

READ MORE: Jeremy Kyle addresses Channel 4 documentary on axed ITV show as he vows to speak out

The West Suffolk MP, who was forced to resign from his role as health secretary after he was caught on leaked CCTV breaking coronavirus guidelines, shared on Twitter that he had signed up to the government scheme and urged his constituents to do the same.

He explained his decision as he spoke out over a 'visa sponsorship scheme' on GMB.

Mr Hancock, who was wearing a Ukrainian pin on the show, told the hosts: "I have signed up to take a family. It will be around five. It is a sponsored visa scheme so you take the fact somebody is willing to vouch for you."

He added: "I am not there all the time. In my constituency, I will be able to do this. I live both there and in London. I am not there all of the time because as an MP, I have a flat in London."

The MP joined Susanna and Richard in the studio (ITV)

As he was challenged on some of the complexities around the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme which launched on Monday (March 14) and requires both parties to do a lot of paperwork, Mr Hancock said: "In my case, I've been working with a British-Ukrainian whose family is trying to get out of Ukraine and we were talking about what happens when they get here, and I just feel so strongly about it.

"Whether it's that family, or whether it's another family that comes through a different route, I'm opening my home. Before going down this route, obviously I checked with the kids and they're really enthusiastic about it because we all want to help - the scenes have been so awful."

Susanna later asked Mr Hancock if he thinks every MP should offer up their property where they don't spend a lot of time to a refugee 'like him' to which he smiled and replied: "You invite me to become unpopular amongst my colleagues."

Richard chimed in: "It's yes or no," to which Mr Hancock responded: "The answer is... I really think people who don't want to and can't, I don't think we should say there's anything bad about that or wrong.

"Some MPs who have security issues obviously can't and some people just don't have the opportunity to do it... I do."

Mr Hancock explained his plans (ITV)

Despite Mr Hancock's efforts to help the Ukraine crisis, many GMB viewers were unhappy with his appearance.

@Phil_Havercroft tweeted: "Hi @GMB Please stop giving Matt Hancock airtime. Or is a 'sorry' enough for you that he was filmed breaking his own lockdown/social distancing rules when he was the HEALTH MINISTER!!!"

"Why is #GMB giving Matt Hancock any airtime?" @Bruce_McLeod_ asked.

@Takemewithyou05 said: "Matt Hancock enjoying his moment back in the sun a little too much. #gmb."

"@GMB what on Earth is Matt Hancock doing on your show!?!?" @thingamejig quizzed.

@mollytara echoed: "@GMB Matt Hancock getting himself back on tv, why would you give him airtime?"

READ MORE: 'Oh please!' ITV This Morning viewers mock segment as they're taught how to make chip butty

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