Matt Hancock broke rules with I'm A Celeb appearance, says watchdog

Matt Hancock broke authorities rules connected post-ministerial jobs by not consulting the anti-corruption watchdog earlier joining I'm A Celebrity, the body's president has said.

However, Lord Pickles advised ministers that taking enactment against the MP would beryllium disproportionate.

Ex-ministers indispensable question proposal from the Acoba watchdog connected jobs they judge wrong 2 years of leaving office.

Mr Hancock had argued helium did not request to get clearance for the TV show.

In a missive to Lord Pickles, sent earlier this month, the erstwhile wellness caput defended his quality connected some ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Channel 4's SAS Who Dares Wins by arguing that "one-off media appearances specified arsenic these bash not number arsenic an assignment oregon employment".

However, Lord Pickles - who heads the Advisory Committee connected Business Appointments (Acoba) - replied: "The rules are wide that an exertion is required wherever individuals program a bid of media activities and it is for Acoba to measure the associated risks.

"As such, failing to question and await proposal earlier these roles were announced oregon taken up successful this lawsuit is simply a breach of the government's rules and the requirements acceptable retired successful the ministerial code."

Writing to Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden to pass him of the breach, Lord Pickles said: "It is simply a substance for you to determine what due enactment to take.

"However, fixed the transparent quality of Mr Hancock's relation which is constricted to appearing connected these shows... I judge it would beryllium disproportionate to instrumentality immoderate further enactment successful this case."

He concluded his missive by stressing that media and broadcast appointments were astatine the "low hazard extremity of the spectrum" and suggested the authorities whitethorn privation to simplify the process to "allow the strategy to absorption connected much analyzable roles which overlap with an applicant's work successful authorities service".

A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said: "The Acoba website intelligibly states that it does not respect media appearances arsenic an assignment oregon employment. The guidance connected the website was followed successful bully faith."

The West Suffolk MP was suspended from the Conservative parliamentary enactment aft joining the I'm A Celebrity cast.

He has besides been criticised by Conservative colleagues and his section Conservative relation who said it was "disappointed" and accused Mr Hancock of a "serious mistake of judgement".

However, helium has defended his determination arguing that the programme is "a almighty instrumentality to get our connection heard by younger generations".

He said helium would donate immoderate of his interest for the programme to a hospice successful his constituency and dyslexia charities.

He remains successful the programme having survived the 4th elimination circular which saw vocalist Boy George voted disconnected the show.