Matt Hancock “no intention of standing down” on politics, his rep has said, as he faces questions about his future after his stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
The former health secretary denied reports that he was in talks with a prominent publicist to give him a career in show business after placing third on the reality TV show.
Hancock exceeded the expectations of many by reaching the final but trailed the winner, Euro 2022 champion Jill Scott and Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner, in a public vote on Sunday night.
His 18 days in the Australian jungle as he sits in parliament saw him suspended by the Conservative parliamentary party and criticized by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, fellow Conservatives and COVID activists.
The Sun newspaper reported that “secret talks” were held to get Hancock out of politics and into show business.
But his spokeswoman denied this, telling Sky News: “Matt has no intention of standing down or stepping away from politics and there has been no conversation with Mayah Riaz or any other PR,” reports Sky.
However, with the conservative whip removed, there are doubts that the current independent deputy can run again in the parliamentary elections.
Conservative MPs have until December 5 to decide whether they want to run again, after which the party can choose a new candidate for their safe seat.
Many fellow conservatives were embarrassed and outraged by Hancock’s decision to leave his constituents behind and into the jungle more than 10,000 miles away.
Asked if Mr Hancock should retrieve the whip from him, business secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News this morning: ” don’t think he should have gone to the jungle in the first place,” reports Sky.
According to Sky, speaking later on the broadcast, Mr Shapps told Times Radio that Mr Hancock may have “come to the conclusion that his parliamentary career is pretty much done”.
The decision to reinstate Hancock, or not, will depend on the leader of the group, Simon Hart, responsible for party discipline.
Hancock acknowledged that his appearance on the show was “controversial” during an interview with hosts Ant and Dec last night.
“I know that it was controversial me coming here, I know some people said people in your position shouldn’t put themselves in embarrassing situations,” the MP said, reports Sky.
Hancock also praised his fellow campers for behaving in a “really grown-up way” at “barbecues” during his time in office.
After leaving the interview, he hugged his partner Gina Coladangelo, the former assistant with whom he had the affair that forced him to resign as health secretary in June of last year.
Leaked CCTV showed them kissing in Hancock’s ministerial office in violation of their own social distancing rules imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Hancock admitted that he wasn’t proud of his actions on the show, but when questioned by his campmates, he insisted it was because he “fell in love.”
Former Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers was among Hancock’s supporters, saying the “great human being” had “shown incredible resilience and courage”.
Mr Hancock is expected to face his constituencies when he makes good on his promise to undergo surgeries with them upon his return.
He had insisted that they be his “first priority” when he entered the jungle, arguing that the reality show would be an “unfiltered and honest” way to communicate with voters.
Mr Hancock said he would use the “incredible platform” to raise awareness about dyslexia.
His team have said they will donate his appearance fee to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and will be asked to tell parliament how much he receives from the show.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
