Matt Hancock may have breached ministerial rules by failing to seek permission from a watchdog for his I’m a Celebrity jaunt, the Mirror understands.
The former Health Secretary did not ask the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) in advance before agreeing to go into the jungle.
That is despite the Ministerial Code telling ex-ministers to consult Acoba about “any appointments or employment they wish to take up” within two years of leaving office.
Rules for former ministers add: “Retrospective applications will not normally be accepted.”
Mr Hancock resigned as Health Secretary in June 2021, meaning the rules apply to him until June 2023.
Mr Hancock's spokesperson tonight insisted he followed the rules, because they say "one-off broadcasts" do not need permission.
The spokesperson said: "The ACOBA website clearly states that it does not regard media appearances as an appointment or employment. The guidance on the website was followed in good faith."
But fellow Tory Esther McVey was found to have breached the rules in April when she became a GB News presenter - because her role "evolved into a regular engagement".
The watchdog could therefore rule Mr Hancock's case fell into the same category as Ms McVey's - because I’m a Celeb by its nature involves signing up to multiple shows over several weeks.
Acoba will now be writing to Mr Hancock requesting more details, and if not resolved, the case could end up being referred to the Cabinet Office, the Mirror understands.
Even if he is found in breach of the rules, there is little Acoba can do. Its own chair, Lord Pickles, admits it is a “toothless” watchdog and needs the government to let it dish out sanctions including “financial penalties”.
It is also thought the watchdog would have been very unlikely to stop an MP going on the ITV reality show anyway.
The rules are to stop ministers using inside knowledge to lobby for private firms. They say nothing of eating kangaroo testicles.
It comes after Mr Hancock sparked a furious backlash for abandoning the Commons to appear on I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!
The Conservative Party suspended the whip after it emerged the self-promoting former Health Secretary - who has a book due out - will be flying to Australia for the ITV hit show.
Days after being snubbed for a Cabinet comeback by Rishi Sunak , the MP is set to join Boy George, Chris Moyles and Olivia Attwood after signing up to the show at the last minute. He will make a donation to his local St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk.
But Mr Hancock's trip to Australia - branded a "serious" breach by the Chief Whip - will leave him out of the country unable to vote in Parliament while still able to claim his £84,144 salary.
Covid bereaved families accused him of trying to "cash in on his terrible legacy" and said he should "be sharing his private emails with the Covid inquiry, not eating bugs on TV".
Labour MP Chris Bryant demanded a “by-election now” adding: “If @MattHancock thinks representing his constituents is an inconvenience, his constituents should have a chance to decide whether they could bring that inconvenience to an end.”
Deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association Andy Drummond said: "I'm looking forward to him eating a kangaroo's penis. Quote me. You can quote me that." Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne said: "To be fair to Matt Hancock, I'd sooner eat wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too.''
A Labour source said it would be "a unique experience for Hancock - eating b****cks rather than talking it".
Tory MP Tim Loughton said Matt Hancock was an "absolute prat", losing the whip is "the least he deserves" and he should be deselected.
He told Times Radio: "I'm completely disappointed and disgusted that he's put his self and a so-called celebrity career ahead of serving his constituents."
Downing Street slapped down Matt Hancock as Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said it was “unlikely” the Prime Minister will tune in .
The spokesman said: “The Prime Minister believes at a challenging time for the country, MPs should be working hard for their constituents whether that’s in the House or in their constituency.”
The spokesman refused to be drawn on other cases, like Boris Johnson going on holiday while Parliament sits, saying they should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: “The Tories have given up all pretence of serving the national interest or their constituents. This demeaning and money grubbing move sums up the rotten state of the Conservative Party and why Britain needs a general election and a fresh start now”.
