Viewers cringe as former health secretary Matt Hancock dons tight hotpants for Celebrity Cyclone - but will he be able to face his constituents now?
(Picture: ITV)Matt Hancock’s participation in the I’m A Celebrity jungle signals that his political career is “done”, according to a Cabinet minister.
Despite his hopes to use his airtime on the show as a platform to raise awareness of his dyslexia campaign, Business Secretary Grant Shapps told Times Radio that Hancock’s stint on the reality show indicates that he will be giving up his job in Parliament.
Mr Shapps said: “I think that his true position should have been in Parliament this last few weeks, and serving his constituents.”
Asked if Hancock will leave politics, he added: “I haven’t spoken to him about it, but I suspect he may have already reached that conclusion.
“Why would you go off and spend all that time in the jungle if you were going to carry on in Parliament? I’m only speculating.”
Grant Shapps’ comments came after Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “If you are a member of Parliament and Parliament is sitting, I think your job is to be representing your constituents, either in your constituency or in Parliament.”
However, an ally of Mr Hancock told the PA news agency, “Matt has no intention of standing down.”
Do you think Matt Hancock’s political career is over? Let us know in the comments for your chance to be featured on the ES website.
Last week we asked you: Should Scotland be allowed a referendum without permission from Westminster?
Several readers made reference to the ‘once-in-a-generation’ nature of the original referendum in 2014. @leitlou commented on Instagram that “you can’t keep having referendums until you get what you want”.
Another reader on Facebook, however, commented on the different political landscape that Scots find themselves in now compared to when they were last given the chance to vote. Nick Clarke said: “Having forced Scotland out of the EU against their will, Scotland should not need Westminster’s permission for independence.”
