Matt Hancock has faced major backlash for his decision to appear on I’m A Celebrity (Picture: PA/ITV)
Matt Hancock spoken out on his upcoming I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here appearance, claiming he’ll be able to show the ‘human side’ of politicians during his time in camp.
The former health minister has faced major backlash after it was revealed he would be one of the 12 campmates headed for the jungle, and has had the Tory whip suspended.
However, he has now defended his appearance, claiming it will help him communicate with the British people, including those who are politically disengaged.
‘Where better to show the human side of those who make these decisions than with the most watched programme on TV? And there are many ways to communicate. It’s one of the many important things I learnt during the pandemic,’ he said.
Mr Hancock went on to say that, while many tuned in to watch the daily updates from the government amid the height of the pandemic, others got their news from shows including This Morning, Loose Women, and Gogglebox.
‘It’s as clear as day that politicians like me must go to where the people are — particularly those who are politically disengaged. We must wake up and embrace popular culture,’ he added in a piece for The Sun.
He said he wants to ‘go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.’
Mr Hancock said he’s going to ‘make a donation’ to charity after his appearance (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
He said he turned down the show twice over the summer, but felt he could now take up the opportunity due to the government now being in a more stable position with Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister.
Mr Hancock confirmed reports that he has been given special permission to receive information on urgent constituency matters, and reiterated that he’ll be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and causes supporting dyslexia, and declaring the amount he receives from the show to Parliament.
He added: ‘So, the truth is, I haven’t lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. I was elected by the people, and it’s important to engage with voters, especially younger voters, no matter where they are, and show the human side of politicians.’
Ant and Dec are returning to host the series in Australia (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
He went on to say that he hopes to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign.
Mr Hancock is far from the first controversial figure to appear on the show, with the likes of Stanley Johnson and Nadine Dorries both previously heading to the jungle – however, Tory chiefs are furious at the decision and have moved to punish him.
Chief whip Simon Hart MP 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 Mr Hancock’s constituency, Andy Drummond, deputy chairman (political) of West Suffolk Conservative Association, added: ‘I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me 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,’ Mr Houlder remarked.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here begins on November 6 on ITV.
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‘It’s as clear as day that politicians like me must go to where the people are.’
