I'm very disappointed in Matt Hancock for joining I'm A Celebrity, says Rishi Sunak

7 November 2022, 06:51 | Updated: 7 November 2022, 14:39

Rishi Sunak has hit out at Matt Hancock for joining the cast of I'm A Celebrity
Rishi Sunak has hit out at Matt Hancock for joining the cast of I'm A Celebrity. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

Prime Minister Rishi Sunk has said he is "very disappointed" in Matt Hancock for joining the cast of I'm A Celebrity.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mr Sunak said MPs should be "working hard for their constituents" and also said he would not be watching his colleague on the show, claiming he "genuinely won't have time".

"I think politics is a noble profession, at its best — it can and should be," the Prime Minister told The Sun while on his way to the Cop27 summit in Egypt.

Read more: 'Treated like prisoners': Detainees moved from immigration centre after outbreak of violence

Read more: Rishi Sunak to call for ‘global mission for clean growth’ at Cop27

"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.

Matt Hancock is joining I'm A Celebrity
Matt Hancock is joining I'm A Celebrity. Picture: Alamy

"The vast majority of MPs are really hard-working — they got into it because they want to make a difference for their communities.

"Most MPs spend their time street by street, constituent by constituent, trying to make a difference, that's what my colleagues do.

"That's really special and why I was disappointed with what Matt did."

Mr Sunak refused to say whether he had spoken directly with Mr Hancock about his decision to appear on the show.

Read more: Sunak under fire for bringing Gavin Williamson back into Govt despite warnings he was under investigation for 'bullying'

Read more: Jeremy Hunt warned against 'alienating' voters over £10bn tax raid on pensions savings

The former Health Secretary was suspended from the Conservative party after it was revealed he was joining the cast.

Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart said it was "a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect".

It was the first bout of controversy in this year's series, which has already seen Olivia Attwood drop out after just 24 hours due to a medical issue.

The former Love Island contestant had to leave the camp for checks and will not return.

Tory and Labour MPs will unite to ensure Matt Hancock jungle hardship, vows Wes Streeting

A spokesperson for Matt Hancock said: "The second reading of Matt's Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill is just days after I'm A Celeb finishes.

"Matt doesn't expect to serve in government again so this is an amazing opportunity for him to raise the profile of his dyslexia campaign and to talk about an issue he really cares about in front of millions of people.

"Matt is still working on constituency matters and producers have agreed that Matt can communicate with his team throughout the show if there's an urgent constituency matter.

"Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk, and causes supporting dyslexia, off the back of his appearance.

"He will, of course, declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal."

Rishi Sunak said he would not be watching the show
Rishi Sunak said he would not be watching the show. Picture: Alamy

Mr Sunak made the comments while on his way to the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt.

On Monday he is set to make an opening address where he will say it is essential countries stick to commitments made in Glasgow if the world is to avoid the worst impact of climate change by limiting warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

At the same time, he will argue that the transition away from fossil fuels has the potential to drive growth and deliver jobs in the new green industries of the future, while cutting off funding for Russia's war in Ukraine.

Mr Sunak is expected to say: "The world came together in Glasgow with one last chance to create a plan that would limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.

Read more: Sunak: Fighting climate change ‘fundamental to prosperity and security’

Read more: Gavin Williamson investigated over expletive-filled messages after he wasn’t invited to the Queen’s funeral

"The question today is: can we summon the collective will to deliver on those promises?

"I believe we can.

"By honouring the pledges we made in Glasgow, we can turn our struggle against climate change into a global mission for new jobs and clean growth.

"And we can bequeath our children a greener planet and a more prosperous future.

"That's a legacy we could be proud of."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates a goal.

Four people given suspended prison sentences for hate crimes after hanging effigy of Real Madrid star

Electricity prices in the UK are high because of the "insane" wholesale market, Parliament has been told.

UK electricity prices ‘way too high’ because of ‘insane’ wholesale market, Parliament told

Detectives have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to following an attempted rape

Bid to trace man as police investigate attempted rape of woman in cinema

Exclusive
Jess Phillips on LBC

Victims deserve credit for grooming gangs national inquiry - not Elon Musk, says Labour minister

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes  - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' during live broadcast.

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' live on air

The Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England, where Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will visit on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024 following riots

Pregnant teenager facing jail term following role in Rotherham riots targeting migrant hotel

Hamilton started the race in fifth and looked to be on course for a positive 70 laps - before his Grand Prix was impacted in the initial stages.

Lewis Hamilton is left 'devastated' after hitting a furry animal at 100mph in F1's Canadian Grand Prix

Gareth Bale is reportedly being lined up to front a takeover of League One side Plymouth

Gareth Bale in talks to front shock US takeover of League One club

DJ John Reid has died suddenly aged 61

Top DJ dies suddenly aged 61 as music stars pay tribute

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media at the G7 summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Monday, June 16, 2025.

'Israel has right to defend itself - and Iran cannot have nuclear weapons', say world leaders at G7 summit in Canada

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of 92-year-old Ryland Headley appearing via video link at Bristol Magistrates' Court, charged with the rape and murder of widow Louisa Dunne in Bristol in 1967.

Man, 92, goes on trial for the rape and murder of a pensioner in 1967

.

Scottish school apologises after calling Union Flag 'offensive or sectarian' in letter to parents

Richard Oladi, who works in NHS primary care alongside his mother, is currently stuck in Tehran.

'Desperately frightened' NHS worker describes being trapped in Tehran while on a family visit with his mother

A crane retrieves part of the fuselage of the Air India Boeing 787 on June 14, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India.

Families of British Air India crash victims 'feel utterly abandoned' as they blast UK government's response

Chris Brown is back on stage after being bailed

Where Chris Brown will play on Breezy Bowl XX world tour after bail

Viswash Kumar Ramesh (circled) walking out of the wreckage while clutching his phone

New video shows sole survivor of Air India disaster walking away from fireball wreck while on his phone