Matt Hancock has Tory whip suspended after joining I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here
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Matt Hancock may have broken ministerial rules by failing to ask the authorities for permission to head to the jungle to appear on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The former health secretary did not ask Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) watchdog whether it was appropriate to join the reality show.
The chair of the committee, Tory peer Eric Pickles, is set to write to Mr Hancock to seek an explanation, The Independent understands.
The ministerial code says ex-ministers must check with Acoba about “any appointments or employment they wish to take up” within the first two years of leaving office.
But Mr Hancock’s spokesperson has said is still within rules, because they allow for “one-off broadcasts” on the media without permission.
The West Suffolk MP has been suspended from the party, but defended his decision in an article in The Sun, claiming he is participating in the show so he can “go to where the people are – not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster”.
1667381115Matt Hancock may have breached ministerial rules with I’m a Celebrity appearanceMatt Hancock may have broken ministerial rules by failing to ask the authorities for permission to head to the jungle to appear on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The former health secretary did not ask Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) watchdog whether it was appropriate to join the reality show.
The chair of the committee, Tory peer Eric Pickles, is set to write to Mr Hancock to seek an explanation, The Independent understands.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 09:25
1667379399Manston asylum conditions could see riots and hunger strikes, government warnedAsylum seekers at the processing centre in Manston are threatening to self-harm and go on hunger strike, according to a prison officers’ chief.
Andy Baxter of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) warned of the potential for riots at the overcrowded Kent facility experiencing “pressure cooker” conditions.
Hundreds of migrants have been moved following overcrowding, with 4,000 people being held at the site. Some have spent weeks at the facility designed to hold people for 24 hours, Adam Forrest writes.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 08:56
1667378294UK policing experiencing a ‘tipping point’ for cultural changeInspector of constabulary Matt Parr has said he believes UK policing is experiencing a “tipping point moment” for cultural change following a string of damning reports.
Mr Parr, author of the latest report into policing – which exposed poor vetting standards – told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’re at something of a tipping point moment .
“It’s not just our report today, there have been other hard-hitting reports shining a light on police behaviour and some of these problems.
“I think, or at least I hope, that we’ve now reached the point where chief constables and other police leaders realise this is something they’ve got to bear down on much harder.
“They’ve got to take more interest in recruiting the right people and they’ve got to take more interest in driving out misconduct, because if they don’t, these problems are going to keep coming back, and they can’t.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 08:38
1667377414Transport secretary ‘very happy’ to meet with trade union leadersThe new transport secretary has said that he is “very happy” to meet with trade union leaders amid ongoing rail strikes.
Mark Harper told LBC: “I’m very happy to meet the trade unions.
“The negotiations are obviously going to take place between the unions and the employers’, Network Rail and the train operating companies.
“But I think it’s helpful for ministers to meet trade union leaders and to listen to their concerns.
“I’m very happy to do that and my department will be reaching out to those trade union leaders in due course.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 08:23
1667375791Transport secretary comments on government’s commitment to HS2The transport secretary was pressed on the government’s commitment to HS2 amid warnings of difficult decisions on public spending.
He was asked in particular if the new administration was committed to the high-speed line from Manchester to Leeds, via Bradford.
“The government remains committed to delivering High Speed 2 on time and within budget,” Mark Harper said.
“We’re going back to our 2019 manifesto, looking at the commitments we made. We have got a commitment to make sure we can get high speed trains to Leeds.
“What we’re doing in my department, and what I’ve been briefed on, is we’re looking at all of the options that are available to do that,” he told Sky News.
“I will be looking at all of the options to do that in light of the decisions we take in the autumn statement.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 07:56
1667374802Braverman was showing public she ‘gets it’ with ‘invasion’ language, says ministerCabinet minister Mark Harper has defended Suella Braverman over her inflammatory language on small boat crossings and the “invasion” of migrants on the south coast, Adam Forrest writes.
He told Sky News: “I think it’s very important that the home secretary demonstrates to the public she understands the scale of the problem, so that the public has the confidence that she and the immigration minister are going to put the appropriate focus on dealing with that.”
Mr Harper added: “Every politician chooses to express themselves in the way that they do … The public understanding that politicians get that this is real problem actually can help people feel reassured that someone gets the problem and is focused on dealing with it, which is actually a good thing, not a bad thing.”
Asked about overcrowding at the Manston asylum centre, he said: “Over time we’ll be able to reduce the numbers in that camp … Progress is starting to be made but it is clearly not going to be solved overnight.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 07:40
1667373989Minister not looking forward to watching Hancock eat kangaroo’s penisTransport secretary Mark Harper has said it was right for Matt Hancock to be suspended over her decision to appear on I’m a Celebrity.
The deputy chair of Hancock’s local association attacked the MP’s decision and said: “I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis.
Asked if he was looking forward to watching Mr Hancock eat a kangaroo’s penis, Mr Harper told Sky News: “No.”
Asked if he would be texting in to nominate Mr Hancock for “That will remain between me and my phone.”
“I very much support the decision the chief whip has made … Going on I’m a Celebrity is not compatible with doing your job as a member of parliament.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 November 2022 07:26
1667372728Johnson says he will go to Cop27, piling pressure on SunakMr Sunak’s office has so far declined to say whether he will go to Egypt for the meeting, claiming his focus is on domestic policy.
On Thursday last week, Downing Street said Mr Sunak was not expected to attend “due to other pressing domestic commitments”.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more:
Namita Singh2 November 2022 07:05
1667371828Fund for Aids and malaria victims in disarray as UK breaks pledge to donateA global fund for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria victims has been plunged into disarray after the Foreign Office broke a promise to make a crucial donation.
In September, ministers pledged to make an allocation “in the coming weeks” – after an initial failure to give any money – but has now missed a final deadline to stump up cash.
It means the fund, which has reported saving 50 million lives over the past 20 years, has been left “in the dark” about its available resources ahead of key decisions in two weeks’ time.
Deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:
Namita Singh2 November 2022 06:50
1667370928Irked Sunak ‘unlikely’ to watch Hancock in I’m a CelebrityMr Hancock did not inform the PM of his intention to appear on the show ahead of his announcement as a contestant earlier today. He immediately had the Conservative whip withdrawn, and must now sit in the Commons as an independent.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “The PM believes that at a challenging time for the country, MPs should be working hard for their constituents in the House or in their constituencies.
“The public when they elect their MPs, expect them to work hard for their constituency.”
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:
Namita Singh2 November 2022 06:35
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