Matt Hancock has revealed his reasons for signing up for this year's series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
The former health secretary has been stripped of the Tory whip after agreeing to appear on the ITV show, as he joins the likes of Chris Moyles, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and royal Mike Tindall preparing themselves for a stint in the Australian jungle.
Hancock's addition to the star-studded line-up has already sparked controversy but the controversial politician is hoping his time camping with the likes of Boy George and Corrie actress Sue Cleaver will repair his damaged reputation.
The politician is a surprise extra name added to the star-studded list of this year's contenders and allies close to the future reality TV star have revealed what he hopes to achieve thanks to a cameo in the jungle.
But Chief Whip Simon Hart said the situation was so serious he should have the right to sit as a Conservative suspended.
"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," Hart said as it was revealed Hancock would be appearing on the ITV show.
The West Suffolk MP was forced to quit as health secretary in June 2021 after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office with aide Gina Coladangelo.
A political ally of Hancock's believes the former health secretary has made the right decision by signing up to appear on the ITV show - claiming it's a way for the politician to engage with voters.
"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," the ally says.
"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."
They add: "Matt has always believed in communicating directly with the people he represents – whether that’s getting out and pounding the streets in West Suffolk, through all sorts of media or via those press conferences.
"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?"
Hancock was among supporters of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who welcomed the new leader to Conservative headquarters last week but was overlooked for a ministerial job under the new Prime Minister.
"Politicians like Matt must go to where the people are - particularly those who are politically disengaged," Hancock's ally continues when discussing the future celebrity camper.
"Matt's of the view that we must embrace popular culture. Rather than looking down on reality TV, we should see it for what it is - a powerful tool to get our message heard by younger generations," they claim.
"Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and he will, of course, declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal.
"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."
