Rishi Sunak will not bother watching Tory turncoat Matt Hancock on I'm a Celebrity..., Downing Street confirmed today.
The former Health Secretary was passed over for a frontbench job by Rishi Sunak - and even snubbed for a handshake outside Tory HQ.
And today the Prime Minister's Press Secretary delivered the final blow, saying: "I don't think it is on his watch list. He probably doesn't have time."
Asked if he'll be voting for the former Health Secretary to face bushtucker trials, she replied coyly: "I don't think it would be appropriate to vote on something you haven't engaged with."
Told the millionaire PM has enough cash to "rig the phone line," she replied: "I don't think he'll have the time." She added the PM was not a usual fan of the show.
No10 repeated its slapdown of Mr Hancock - who was stripped of the Tory whip - saying: "We've been clear that the public would expect their MPs to be serving them, either in the House or in their constituencies".
It came as preening Matt Hancock faced fresh Tory criticism over his decision to join I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as he arrived in Australia for the show.
A casually dressed Mr Hancock was spotted arriving in Brisbane as he prepares to enter the jungle.
It is thought he had already left on a flight by the time the news became public yesterday - and lost the whip while on a layover in Singapore.
But a source close to him insisted he had told the Chief Whip - who suspended him from the Tory parliamentary party - face-to-face on Monday afternoon.
Defending his actions, the former health secretary said he was entering the ITV programme's jungle to "go to where the people are - not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster".
He wrote: “The truth is, I haven't lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It's something I've given a lot of thought to."
But Cabinet minister Mark Harper said Mr Hancock had not made the "right judgment" and would now have to decide whether he wants to continue as an MP.
The Transport Secretary told Sky News: “Going on I'm A Celebrity is not compatible with doing your job properly as a Member of Parliament."
Pressed on whether Mr Hancock should stand down as an MP, Mr Harper said: "What he chooses to do in the future is a matter for him."
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called for Mr Hancock to quit as an MP and trigger a by-election.
She said: "He is abandoning his constituents by going to the jungle and is shirking from his responsibilities. In any normal workplace he'd be sacked."
Labour ’s Wes Streeting said MPs from all sides will “absolutely be hitting the phones” so he faces as many bushtucker trials as possible.
Mr 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.
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.
