Matt Hancock has been suspended by the Conservative Party after it emerged that he will be taking part in the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The 44-year-old - MP for West Sussex - served as health secretary between 2018 and 2021 but was forced to resign after footage emerged of him engaged in a clinch with one of his aides, breaking coronavirus rules in place at the time.
Hancock failed to secure a job in new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government last week and subsequently decided to accept an offer to fly to Australia and take part in I'm A Celeb as a late entrant.
A source close to the politician told The Times: "I'm A Celeb is the most watched show on TV. 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.
"Matt has told the whips in parliament and he will use his time in the jungle to promote his dyslexia campaign.
"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.
"Where better to show the human side of those who make these decisions than with the most-watched programme on TV?
"Politicians like Matt must go to where the people are, particularly those who are politically disengaged. Matt's of the view that we must embrace popular culture. Rather than looking down on reality TV, we should see it for what it is: a powerful tool to get our message heard by younger generations."
The Conservative Party has refused to endorse Hancock's decision, however, and withdrew the whip from him on Tuesday morning.
Chief Whip Simon Hart MP confirmed: "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."
A spokesperson for Sunak said: "The PM believes that at a challenging time for the country MPs should be working hard for their constituents whether that's in the House or indeed in their constituencies."
Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Andrew Gwynne remarked: "To be fair to Matt Hancock, I'd sooner eat wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too."
I'm A Celebrity begins Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
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