Wednesday 2 November 2022 04:52 PM Hancock may not take part in I'm A Celeb's Bushtucker Trials because he's ... trends now

Matt Hancock may avoid the infamous bushtucker trials when he appears on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! due to a health condition, MailOnline understands.

The former Health secretary is said to be suffering from trench foot, which may preclude him from carrying out the stomach-churning challenges with creepy crawlies.

He is said to have got the condition while filming Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins and may not have cleared up yet, The Sun reports.

A source said: 'When he was filming SAS Who Dares Wins in October, Matt got trench foot - in fact, a lot of the cast did. It can take up to six months to recover from that, so any water-based tasks or swimming trials would be bad news for his feet.'

Mr Hancock had the Tory whip removed following the announcement of his decision to go on the hit reality TV show. Mr Hancock earlier said he had no expectations of returning to government and appeared to be snubbed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week as he congratulated him outside Downing Street with other MPs.

Bereaved families who lost loved ones to Covid launched a petition to demand he is removed from the hit ITV show, which has garnered more than 17,000 signatures. Mr Hancock had to quit government after he was caught flouting his own lockdown rules by kissing married Ms Coladangelo in his office.

The petition, launched by pressure group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, reads: 'Families were ripped apart by Matt Hancock's actions, and turning on the TV to see him being paraded around as a joke is sickening.

'If he had any respect for families who lost loved ones to Covid-19, he would be sharing his private emails with the Covid Inquiry, not eating bugs on TV.' 

A separate probe is being launched into whether he should receive his taxpayer-funded £84,144 salary while in the jungle, as questions are raised over whether he followed the rules on seeking jobs within two years of leaving office. 

'Fame junkie' Mr Hancock has already landed in Australia for I'm A Celebrity, however, and brazenly insisted he will still be serving his West Suffolk constituents – 10,270 miles away in the jungle camp. 

But the former minister is in for a tough ride as MPs and his rivals in Parliament are plotting to ensure he is forced to do gruesome Bushtucker Trials 'every night'.

Landing in Brisbane this morning ahead of a week in isolation, Mr Hancock denied he had 'lost his marbles'. 

Instead, he insisted he was flying Down Under so he could 'go to where the people are - not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster' - and claimed he will 'promote his dyslexia campaign' and make a donation to a hospice - but not his entire estimated £350,000 pay deal from ITV.

Incredibly the now independent MP insists he will still be doing his day job, meaning he will not forego his £84,144 taxpayer-funded salary for the duration of his trip. 

He said: 'As an MP, my first priority is to my constituents. I have agreed with the show's producers that I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters'. 

Yesterday the Prime Minister said Mr Hancock was doing the opposite by going on the show.

Mr Hancock did not seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) before agreeing to the appearance, the PA news agency understands.

Lord Pickles, the Conservative chairman of the anti-corruption watchdog that advises on post-ministerial jobs, is expected to write to Mr Hancock to demand clarification.

Under the rules, Mr Hancock should seek clearance from Acoba for any new employment or appointments he takes on until next June.

A spokesman for Mr Hancock said the guidance 'was followed in good faith', adding: 'The Acoba website clearly states that it does not regard media appearances as an appointment or employment.'

But the website only says that 'one-off' activities are not applicable, with any 'longer-term arrangement' needing a request to Acoba.

Depending on how he fairs during public votes, Mr Hancock could remain in the jungle for weeks.

In April, Tory MP and former housing minister Esther McVey was found to have broken the rules for failing to seek Acoba's advice over her 'regular engagement' as a GB News presenter.

Mr Hancock can continue to pick up his taxpayer-funded salary as an MP while in the jungle. 

But Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Sarah Olney said: 'The taxpayer should not pay him while he refuses to do his job.'

It comes after the father-of-three revealed he had twice been asked to appear on the show before but accepted the third offer because the government is now 'stable'. 

Many have pondered whether he actually made up his mind when he was snubbed by new PM Rishi Sunak at his victory rally last week, which was tacit confirmation his career as a senior MP is over.

And millions are set to punish him for his decision – including MPs. 

One former minister has threatened 'to vote for him to eat armadillo c**k every night'. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he should 'step down' as a MP and did not deny he would also vote for Mr Hancock to face Bushtucker Trials, smiling as he said: 'That will be between me and my phone.'

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: 'We are going to make sure on a cross-party basis that Matt Hancock gets a fill of every creepy crawly in that jungle'. 

In Mr Hancock's constituency, Andy Drummond, the cheesed off deputy chairman of the local Conservative Association, said: 'I'm looking forward to him eating a kangaroo's penis'. 

And local Tory councillor Ian Houlder said Mr Hancock has 'no shame', a view shared by many, not least the families of 200,000-plus Covid victims who say he is 'cashing in' on the pandemic.

'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 said. 'He's got a skin as thick as a rhinoceros, quite frankly.' 

PR expert Mark Borkowski told MailOnline: 'Hancock is desperate for the visibility or the money... if it's the money I'd expect £350,000 – he should be very careful what he wishes for.' 

He added: 'He believes this will kick-start a career as a sad extra. Jumping on the flight to enter the jungle proves he is a fame junkie'.

Writing in The Sun, Mr Hancock said: 'Some may think I've lost my marbles or had one too many drinks, swapping the comfortable surroundings of Westminster and West Suffolk for the extreme conditions of the Australian outback, going where there will be few creature comforts, not enough food, and a load of physical tasks involving snakes, spiders and plenty of other creepy-crawlies.

'While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn't go, I think it's a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren't always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country's run.

'I thought long and hard about this – in fact I turned down I'm A Celebrity... twice this summer – but when they approached me for a third time last week, I had a change of heart.' 

He added: 'And no, it wasn't the cheque that changed my mind. I will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and causes supporting dyslexia off the back of my appearance. 

'I will, of course, also declare the amount I receive from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal.

'When I was first approached to take part - while I was flattered and naturally curious - it didn't take me too long to turn the opportunity down because of the instability government was facing at the time.

'Now though, the government is stable. Rishi Sunak has made a great start and I know he has got what it takes to be a superb PM.'

In the jungle, Mr Hancock will be joining pop star Boy George, Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver, Hollyoaks' Owen Warner, TV presenter and property expert Scarlette Douglas, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, Loose Women star Charlene White, radio presenter Chris Moyles, reality TV star Olivia Attwood, former footballer Jill Scott and comedian Babatunde Aleshe. 

As well as being stripped of the party whip, campaigners for families bereaved in the Covid-19 pandemic accused Mr Hancock of trying to 'cash in on his terrible legacy'.

Mr Harper told Sky News: 'The chief whip has made the position clear, which is he's made a decision that going on I'm a Celebrity is not compatible with doing your job properly as a Member of Parliament, which is why the whip has been taken away, and as a former chief whip I completely support those decisions taken by my successor to support him standing down as an MP.'

Pressed on whether Mr Hancock should stand down as an MP, Mr Harper said: 'What he chooses to do in the future is a matter for him.'

The response at Westminster was swift after news Mr Hancock would join the show which starts on Sunday.

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.'

One Tory MP described Mr Hancock as an 'absolute prat'.

Tory MP Tim Loughton said Mr 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' Mr 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,' they said.

Mr Hancock was forced to quit as health secretary in June 2021 after breaking coronavirus social distancing rules by conducting an affair in his ministerial office with his then aide Ms Coladangelo.

Mr Hancock was among supporters of Mr 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 chairman of the Commons Treasury Committee but pulled out of the race on Monday.

An ally of Mr Hancock said: '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 ally said producers of the show have agreed that Mr Hancock can communicate with constituency staff if there is an urgent matter in West Suffolk.

He will make a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and he will also be required to declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament.

Mr Hancock initially turned down the offer to take part because of the political chaos at Westminster.

But since Mr Sunak became Prime Minister the former health secretary believes 'the government is stable'.

But his decision to enter the jungle drew criticism from political opponents, union chiefs and campaigners.

Lobby Akinnola, from the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign, said: 'Matt Hancock isn't a 'celebrity', he's the former health secretary who oversaw the UK having one of the highest death tolls in the world from Covid-19 whilst breaking his own lockdown rules.

'The fact that he is trying to cash in on his terrible legacy, rather than showing some humility or seeking to reflect on the appalling consequences of his time in Government, says it all about the sort of person he is.'

SNP MP Pete Wishart said: 'It speaks volumes that Matt Hancock would rather be stranded in a remote jungle eating kangaroo testicles than spend a moment longer on the Tory benches at Westminster, as Rishi Sunak's government lurches from one crisis to another.'

Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne said: 'To be fair to Matt Hancock, I'd sooner eat wallaby anus than be a Tory MP too.'

The House of Commons is in recess from November 10-14, but celebrities could spend up to three weeks in the jungle.

It means Mr Hancock would miss significant Commons business, including the Autumn Statement on November 17 if he remains in the contest.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, said: 'Oh to have a job where you can decide for yourself you're taking a month off, abandon your work and responsibilities, get paid shedloads and face little consequence.

'I'm sure he'll be an inspiration to other public servants.'

Already possibly one of the nation's better known politicians for his role as health secretary during a once-in-a-century pandemic, Matt Hancock is about to encounter a whole new audience as he prepares to join I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Swapping the world of Westminster for jungle antics with Ant and Dec is certainly an unorthodox shift for the former minister, whose government career had an unfortunate ending after he resigned in the aftermath of his affair with an aide that broke his own coronavirus rules.

Only in recent days was Mr Hancock reportedly mulling a bid to become chair of the Treasury Select Committee, apparently opting instead for bushtucker trials instead of banks and bonds.

Appointed health secretary in 2018 after spending 18 months in the culture brief, he had been a prominent figure for the government during its handling of the coronavirus pandemic until his abrupt exit.

He had faced pressure to stand down after pictures emerged depicting the married minister appearing to kiss his adviser Gina Coladangelo, with CCTV images published in The Sun taken on May 6 when guidance on social distancing were still in place, with hugging between people from different households recommended against.

It was not the first time Mr Hancock had faced a negative headline during his time in office.

Around the same period, Boris Johnson's former aide Dominic Cummings had shared text messages in which Boris Johnson was said to have called the health secretary 'hopeless'.

Mr Cummings accused the senior minister of lying to the prime minister over promises to protect those in care homes during the first wave of Covid-19 infections by testing new residents before being admitted.

Mr Hancock dismissed claims he lied and called Mr Johnson's 'hopeless' jibe 'ancient history'.

Mr Hancock, who in 2018 became the only MP in British politics to launch his own app, took only eight years to rise from West Suffolk MP to health secretary.

The Oxford and Cambridge educated father-of-three previously worked as an economist at the Bank of England and as chief of staff to George Osborne when he was shadow chancellor of the exchequer, before taking a seat in the Commons.

The Cheshire-raised politician first attended cabinet after being appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office in 2015 by then prime minister David Cameron.

Mr Cameron's successor Theresa May later promoted him to the role of culture secretary.

The 42-year-old initially threw his hat into the ring to replace Mrs May in No 10 during the 2019 Conservative Party leadership contest but withdrew from the leadership race part way through and was quick to throw his weight behind Mr Johnson.

He was among the handful of ministers to retain his brief when Mr Johnson took power in July 2019, making him one of the most prominent ministers when coronavirus rocked Britain eight months later.

In his resignation video, he said that he was looking forward to 'supporting the government and the prime minister from the back benches to make sure that we can get out of this pandemic'.

After Boris Johnson's downfall this summer, he was an enthusiastic backer of Mr Sunak and speculation persisted that he still harboured a return to a Government role.

Even as Liz Truss's government crumbled, his advice from the sidelines did little to dampen that speculation.

'There's a huge amount of talent on the backbenches, I'm not talking about me, but there are many others that should be brought into Government,' he suggested as Ms Truss clung to power.

Once she resigned, he returned as a vocal Sunak backer - although his standing in the new leader's camp was brought into sharp relief after the victorious Mr Sunak appeared to blank the former health secretary, who stood waiting to greet him at the front of the crowd at Conservative HQ.

His decision to join I'm a Celebrity has already prompted mockery, as well as swift repercussions politically - Chief Whip Simon Hart said the situation was so serious he should have the right

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