Matt Hancock accused of ‘cashing in’ on Covid with ‘sickening’ I’m a Celeb appearance

Lobby Akinnola, whose father died after contracting Covid-19 in 2020, said the former Health Secretary agreeing to take part in the show was “sickening” and demonstrated a lack of “respect” for families who lost loved ones during the pandemic

Matt Hancock pulled out of the race to be a committee chair for a tilt at King of the Jungle (

Image: PA)

Matt Hancock has been accused of “cashing in” on Covid by a bereaved son with his appearing on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.

Lobby Akinnola, whose father died after contracting Covid-19 in 2020, said the former Health Secretary agreeing to take part in the show was “sickening” demonstrated a lack of “respect” for families who lost loved ones during the pandemic.

And he called on I’m A Celeb… broadcaster ITV to scrap his planned stint on the programme.

A source close to Mr Hancock said he would be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, without saying how much the donation would be.

But Mr Akinnola, a spokesperson for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign, said: ” Matt Hancock isn’t a ‘celebrity’, he’s the former health secretary who oversaw the UK having one of the highest death tolls in the world from Covid-19 whilst breaking his own lockdown rules.

“The fact that he is trying to cash in on his terrible legacy, rather than showing some humility or seeking to reflect on the appalling consequences of his time in Government says it all about the sort of person he is. My family was ripped apart by Matt Hancock’s actions, and turning on the TV to see him being paraded around as a joke is sickening.”

He added: “If he had any respect for the families like mine, he would be sharing his private emails with the Covid Inquiry, not eating bugs on TV.

“Then again, perhaps if those emails came to light no TV station would touch him with a barge pole. ITV should do the decent thing and remove him from the programme.”

Lobby Akinnola, whose father died after contracting Covid-19 in 2020 (

Image:

Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Preliminary hearings of the second stage of the Covid public inquiry started yesterday.

Mr Hancock is set to head for the jungle for the upcoming series of the reality show, set to kick off on Sunday.

He’ll be the second sitting MP to take part in the lucrative competition, after fellow Tory Nadine Dorries.

A Labour source said it would be a unique experience for Mr Hancock: “Eating b******s rather than talking it.”

Layla Moran MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, said: “This decision by the former Health Secretary highlights his clear disregard for his responsibilities as an MP and his importance to the Covid Inquiry.

“This is not a joke or a game. Matt Hancock must ensure he is fully available to assist the Inquiry when required, not when he leaves the jungle.”

The former Health Secretary was passed over for a frontbench job by Rishi Sunak

And Lib Dem Sarah Olney added: “Matt Hancock should declare how much he is earning from appearing on the show, and forego his MP’s salary for the duration. The taxpayer should not pay him while he refuses to do his job.”

Other political figures to have taken part include Stanley Johnson, father of former PM Boris, and ex-Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.

In quotes attributed to a “political ally” of Mr Hancock, it was claimed he had told party whips he was planning to join the show “in the same way any MP would when going on a foreign visit, which happens all the time.”

But he’s said to have only informed them of his offer last night – prompting a swift suspension from party bosses.

Simon Hart, the Tory chief whip 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.”

Chief whip Simon Hart suspended the whip (

Image:

POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andy Drummond, deputy chairman of West Suffolk Conservative Association, said: “I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me that.”

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman criticised Mr Hancock’s plan to fly off to Australia to take part in the show.

“The prime minister thinks 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,” he said.

“The public, when they elect their MPs, expect them to work hard for their constituency.”

They added it was “unlikely” that Mr Sunak would tune in to watch Mr Hancock eat bugs.

A source close to Mr Hancock said he was “flattered and naturally curious” to get the offer from ITV – but had only agreed to it now because “the government is stable.”

The “political ally” noted that I’m a Celeb… is the most watched show on TV, and that Mr Hancock didn’t expect to serve in Government again.

They said it was an “incredible opportunity” to engage with viewers and promote his dyslexia campaign.

They indicated his constituency work would be taken care of by his “excellent team”, and said “producers have agreed that he can communicate with them if there’s an urgent constituency matter.”

Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “While his constituents need help with the cost of living and want answers about the economy his party has just tanked, Matt Hancock is jetting off to Australia to eat kangaroo testicles. Sums them up really.

“No doubt he’ll be voted off first, as this never ends well for MPs.”

Shadow Arts Minister Barbara Keeley added: “What is seriously wrong with Matt Hancock MP going on I’m a Celeb: His constituents won’t be represented in Parliament.

“[And] those bereaved by COVID, particularly those whose died in care homes, have serious questions to raise with him as the COVID Inquiry gets under way.”

Mr Hancock abruptly withdrew from the race to be the next chairman of the Commons Treasury Select Committee this morning, after being passed over for a front-bench role in Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle.

He has a book, Pandemic Diaries, coming out in time for Christmas.

After helming the Department of Health through the worst months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Hancock was forced to quit after video footage emerged of him in a passionate clinch with Gina Coladangelo, a member of his staff.

He left his wife to pursue a relationship with Ms Coladangelo, who was also married to Oliver Bonas founder Oliver Tress.

Ms Dorries 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.

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