Matt Hancock has defended his decision to appear on the ITV show (Picture: Getty)
Matt Hancock said he does not expect to be given a ministerial role in government ever again.
The former health secretary has caused quite a stir with his decision to take part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – some 10,000 miles away from his constituents in West Suffolk.
But he has defended his time in the spotlight, insisting he will still be available to residents.
Speaking ahead of his arrival in camp, he said: ‘I don’t expect to serve in government again but there are lots of ways you can communicate and engage with people.
‘When I got approached to take part, I did think long and hard about it but one of the reasons that I felt able to say yes was because the IAC team have put in place a system so I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.
‘Lots of people have a view on me from being health secretary in the pandemic dealing with some very difficult issues, but that’s not the whole story.
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Matt Hancock was the health secretary during the pandemic (Picture: GC Images)
‘I am looking forward to throwing myself into it all like I do everything in life. You can’t hide anything in the jungle, you see somebody warts and all.’
Hancock claims he has received a lot of support despite having his Conservative Party whip suspended.
He said: ‘I have had a lot of supportive messages from people who can see what I am trying to do to show that politicians are people too.
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‘There are lots of different ways to communicate with the public and we (politicians) are wrong if we think you can only do that on the traditional political shows where you are mainly only talking to people who take an active interest in politics.
‘It’s important we engage with everyone, including young people, in who our politicians are, and this programme is a good way to do that. I am looking forward to it.’
Hancock is expected to enter the jungle tonight, alongside comedian Seann Walsh, and take part in the next Bushtucker Trial.
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The former health secretary is set to appear on the reality TV show tonight.
