Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responds to Matt Hancock's I'm a Celebrity appearance

08.11.2022 - 00:59 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "very disappointed" in Matt Hancock's decision to join I'm a Celebrity....Get Me Out of Here!

Speaking on his way to Cop27 in Egypt, Mr Sunak has said that he would not be watching the ITV reality show and that “MPs should be working hard for their constituents”.

The Prime Minister added that he backs the chief whip's decision to suspend of former Health Secretary from the conservative party. While the politician was confirmed for the jungle last week, he was nowhere to be seen in the latest season's first episode on Sunday, November 6.

While Mr Hancock wants to enter the jungle to “go where the people are” and not “sit in ivory towers in Westminster”, the Prime Minister had a very different view of the news on Sunday, reports Wales Online.

Speaking to the Sun, Mr Sunak said: “I think politics is a noble profession, at its best – it can and should be – but it’s incumbent on politicians to earn people’s respect and trust.

"They do that by working hard for their constituents, as the vast majority of MPs do – that is why I was very disappointed with Matt’s decision.”

When asked whether he would be watching the programme, Mr Sunak told the newspaper: “I genuinely won’t have the time is the honest answer.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who sits as an independent MP after having the whip removed by his party, also criticised Mr Hancock’s move. Speaking at a cost-of-living protest on Saturday, Mr Corbyn told the PA news agency: “I think it’s complete nonsense that he goes on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

"He’s a member of Parliament, he’s got a constituency, he should be representing them, not himself on some sort of personality parade.”

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