Matt Hancock's right to sit as a Conservative has been suspended after he signed up to I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Chief Whip Simon Hart said the situation was so serious it warranted suspension of the Tory whip.
The former health secretary who quit in June 2021 after breaking his own coronavirus rules by having an affair in his ministerial office, is facing three weeks of creepy crawlies and bushtucker trials. Among those joining the West Sussex MP in the Australian jungle are former England rugby player Mike Tindall, 80s hitmaker Boy George, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and DJ Chris Moyles.
As reported by the Mirror, Mr 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."
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 Prime Minister. He had also reportedly been considering a run to be chair of the Treasury Select Committee, but pulled out of the race on Monday.
A political ally of the former Cabinet minister said Mr Hancock has seized an "incredibly opportunity" to appear on the ITV show because he "doesn't expect to serve in Government again". They said the show's producers have agreed with Mr Hancock that his constituents can communicate with him on "urgent" matters while he is in the jungle.
"I'm A Celeb is the most watched show on TV," they said. "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."
It is an echo of Tory Nadine Dorries, who found herself in hot water after being a surprise addition to the show’s cast in 2012. She was suspended by the Conservative Party for failing to inform party whips that she was leaving the country while the House was sitting to take part in the programme.
The following year she apologised to MPs after failing to correctly register her £82,000 appearance fee. Other political figures to have taken part include Stanley Johnson, father of former PM Boris, and ex-Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.
