Transport Secretary Mark Harper slammed the former health secretary for agreeing to fly to Australia to take part in the jungle show.
He told Sky News: "As a former chief whip, I very much support the decision that was taken which is Members of Parliament's first responsibility when Parliament is sitting is to serve their constituents.
"The Chief Whip has made the position clear which is he has 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." He declined to express a view on whether there should now be a by-election in Mr Hancock’s West Suffolk constituency, saying: “What he chooses to do in the future is a matter for him.”
Mr Hancock, who earns £84,144-a-year as an MP, sought to defend his decision to fly more than 10,000 miles to join the ITV show, which starts on Sunday.
He argued that it was “a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics”.
Denne historien er fra November 02, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra November 02, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
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One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
