Matt Hancock loses Tory whip after signing up for ITV reality show

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Former UK health secretary Matt Hancock lost the Conservative whip on Tuesday, following reports that he will appear on the reality television show I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!

Hancock, who quit the cabinet last year after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules during his affair with aide Gina Coladangelo, will appear on the programme this month. The news was first reported by The Sun newspaper.

Other contestants appearing in this year’s show include former rugby player Mike Tindall, singer Boy George and ITV news presenter Charlene White.

Hancock, the MP for West Suffolk, was vying to become the next chair of the influential House of Commons Treasury select committee until he withdrew from the race earlier this week.

Tory chief whip Simon Hart on Tuesday confirmed that, as a result of his participation in the show, Hancock would be suspended from the party with “immediate effect”.

“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,” said Hart.

Meanwhile, Downing Street reiterated the need for MPs to focus on the interests of their constituents.

“The prime minister believes that at a challenging time for the country MPs should be working hard for their constituents, whether that is in the House or in their constituency,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

But an ally of Hancock defended the decision, describing the ITV show as “the most watched . . . on TV”. “Matt doesn’t expect to serve in government again, so it’s an incredible opportunity for him to engage with the 12mn Brits who tune in,” they said.

“There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether he’s in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.”

Hancock, who will be paid to appear on the programme, is expected to make a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and allies said he would use the publicity to advocate for issues including his dyslexia campaign.

The show, which began in 2002, sees celebrities and well-known faces live in the Australian outback and undertake a series of challenges.

Other politicians to have appeared include former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and Lembit Öpik, a former Liberal Democrat MP.

Dorries, Tory MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, in 2012 had the whip suspended for taking part in the show while parliament was sitting. It was subsequently restored after she apologised for signing up for the programme without permission.

Politicians and campaign groups questioned the timing of Hancock’s decision, his legacy as health secretary and his responsibilities to his constituents.

Lobby Akinnola, spokesperson for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign, said 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”.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said: “It speaks volumes that Matt Hancock would rather be stranded in a remote jungle eating kangaroo testicles than spend a moment longer on the Tory benches at Westminster”.

Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said: “Hancock should declare how much he is earning from appearing on the show, and forego his MP’s salary for the duration.”

ITV did not immediately respond to a request for comment.