by Wes Streeting on Sky News this morning
Wes Streeting said he wants Matt Hancock to eat “every creepy crawly at his disposal” during his stint on “I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here”.
The shadow health secretary said MPs from all sides will phone and text to get the former cabinet minister to participate in as many of the show’s notorious bushtucker trials as possible.
Streeting also said it was “extraordinary and unacceptable” that the former health secretary agreed to appear on the reality show while parliament is in session and the Covid investigation is ongoing.
Hancock has faced a storm of criticism and lost the whip of the Tories after it emerges that he is heading to the jungle to take part in the popular ITV program.
Streeting told Sky News: “Of all the criticism Matt Hancock has received, I thought the most damning was that of Covid Bereaved Families, which I think they expect politicians to take. [the Covid inquiry] seriously, and clearly Matt Hancock has a lot to say and contributes as the health secretary for much of the pandemic.
“I think it is letting them down. I think it is disappointing politicians and our politics more generally. He says he wants to go there so that people have better access to politicians. I don’t want people across the country to think that Matt Hancock is in any way representative of politicians.
“I have no problem with politicians going to programs that aren’t traditional political programs to get a message across, in order to reach audiences we might not otherwise reach, because a lot of people go out now every time they see politics.
“I think this is extraordinary and unacceptable in terms of time commitment and the fact that being a member of parliament is a privilege, it is also a responsibility.
“If you want to be a celebrity, go and become a celebrity. We are not celebrities, we are politicians, we have a responsibility and we have a serious job to do. “
Streeting added: “I also have to say that the producers of ‘I’m A Celebrity’ will be delighted with the number of phone calls coming in during each bushtucker rehearsal because we will make sure – on a cross-basis – that Matt Hancock fills himself with every creepy creep. its disposition in that jungle.
Previously, Transport Secretary Mark Harper accused Hancock of neglecting his duties as an MP.
He said: “” The whip chief clarified the Conservative Party’s position that members of parliament should focus on doing their jobs, serving their constituents in their constituencies and in the House of Commons. “
But writing today in The Sun, Hancock defended his decision to go on the show.
He said: “While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly with people who aren’t always interested in politics, even though they care a lot about how our country is doing.
“Our job as politicians is to go where the people are, not sit in the ivory towers in Westminster.”
