LAST UPDATE | 1 Nov 2022

FORMER UK HEALTH secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly signed up to join the cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

Hancock will swap representing his constituents at Westminster for eating bugs in the jungle, according to The Sun newspaper. 

The MP had to resign from the Cabinet after The Sun newspaper in the UK published footage of the Conservative MP kissing an aide in his departmental office, in breach of coronavirus rules.

He has now had the Tory whip suspended after the news emerged of his decision to enter the jungle.

Chief whip Simon Hart 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.”

In Hancock’s constituency, 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 on that.”

Ian Houlder, a Conservative councillor on West Suffolk Council, said Mr Hancock has “no shame”.

“Everybody knows what he did during the Covid pandemic and he seems to want to rehabilitate himself all the time in the public eye,” Houlder said.

“He’s got a skin as thick as a rhinoceros, quite frankly.”

Tory MP Tim Loughton said Hancock had been an “absolute prat”.

“I’m completely disappointed and disgusted that he’s put his self and a so-called celebrity career ahead of serving his constituents,” he told Times Radio.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was “unlikely” Rishi Sunak would be watching the programme.

“The PM 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,” the spokesman said.

A spokesperson for Hancock said that producers of the show have agreed that Hancock can communicate with constituency staff if there is an urgent matter in West Suffolk.

He initially turned down the offer to take part because of the political chaos at Westminster, but since Sunak became Prime Minister the former health secretary believes “the government is stable”, the spokesperson said.

When Hancock’s Tory colleague Nadine Dorries went to the Australian jungle in 2012 she also had the whip suspended.

Hancock was among supporters of Rishi Sunak who welcomed the new leader to Conservative headquarters last week but was overlooked for a ministerial job under the new Prime Minister.

He had also reportedly been considering a run to be chair of the Treasury Select Committee, but pulled out of the race yesterday.

The first episode of this year’s season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here will air at 9pm this Sunday on ITV in the UK and Virgin Media One in Ireland. 

Includes reporting by Press Association