The former health secretary is heading into the jungle (Picture: REX / Getty / metro.co.uk)
The nation is still very much recovering from the news that Matt Hancock is heading into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The former health secretary, who has also been tipped for an appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, has been announced as the 12th contestant, and will be joining the likes of Mike Tindall and Boy George.
Shortly after he made the announcement that he will be heading Down Under to take on some grim bushtucker trials, Hancock had the whip withdrawn as he was suspended from the Conservative Party.
Chief chip Simon Hart MP said earlier this week: ‘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.’
Hancock served as health secretary from July 2018 to June 2021, resigning shortly after CCTV was leaked showing him kissing his former aide Gina Coladangelo when social distancing measures were still in place.
After his resignation, he returned to the backbenches but now, due to having the whip removed, he will no longer be serving as an MP.
Hancock will be joining the likes of Mike Tindall and Boy George (Picture: ITV)
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Which politicians have previously appeared on I’m A Celebrity?
As Hancock prepares to potentially break show records as the campmate nominated for the most trials, let’s have a refresh of previous MPs that have faced their fears Down Under.
Edwina Currie – the former Conservative party politician entered the jungle in 2014 alongside the likes of Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty and Jake Quickenden.
Stanley Johnson – Father of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-politician himself, Stanley was booted off I’m Celeb on series 17.
Nadine Dorries – the former culture secretary was the first sitting MP to star on the show in 2012, but she was also the first candidate that series that got the boot.
Lembit Opik – the ex-Liberal Democrat has also starred on celebrity editions of Come Dine With Me and The Apprentice.
Is Matt Hancock still an MP?
Losing the whip, or having the whip suspended or stripped, basically just means that an MP has been dropped from the party.
It could end up being permanent, or it could be temporary. The MP hasn’t lost their constituency – so is still an MP – but is considered independent (without a party), unless the whip is restored.
Hancock is the MP of West Suffolk (Picture: PA)
What does a ‘whip’ mean in politics?
Whips are – essentially – MPs who help organise their party to vote.
UK Parliament explains on its official website: ‘Whips are MPs or Members of the House of Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business.
‘One of their responsibilities is making sure the maximum number of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants.’
A whip should promote discipline and keep the party in line, ideally so all MPs are voting in the same way in the House of Commons – especially important if a party has a small majority in government.
What is his constituency?
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Hancock has been serving as the Tory MP of West Suffolk.
Making his announcement that he would be heading to the jungle, Hancock explained that he intends to take up to three weeks off work to appear on the show, which is filmed more than 10,000 miles from his constituency.
Hancock is paid more than £84,000 a year to represent the area in the Commons and has received more than £14,000 on top of that for extra writing and speaking engagements.
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He has insisted he’ll donate the fee he receives from ITV to charity and that he will be informed of any ‘urgent constituency matters’ while in the jungle.
A ‘political ally’ of Hancock previously said: ‘Matt doesn’t expect to serve in government again, so it’s an incredible opportunity for him to engage with the 12 million Brits who tune in every single night.
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‘Matt has told the whips in Parliament and he will use his time in the jungle to promote his dyslexia campaign.
‘Matt has an excellent team working with him in West Suffolk, but producers have agreed that he can communicate with them if there’s an urgent constituency matter.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! launches on Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
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Matt Hancock is heading into the jungle.
