Matt Hancock tells I’m A Celeb campmates Liz Truss’s ‘political career is over’
The former health secretary was spared the Bushtucker trial in Tuesday evening’s show for the first time since his arrival.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Matt Hancock has candidly shared his opinions on the current state of UK politics with his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates, declaring Liz Truss’s political career “over” and reflecting on the reason for Boris Johnson’s departure.
The former health secretary, 44, controversially joined the hit ITV reality show as a late arrival last week.
During a discussion among the celebrity contestants about missing the news back in the UK, presenter and property expert Scarlette Douglas said: “I wonder if Rishi’s still in power.”
To which Hancock replied: “Yeah, he will be.”
As the talk turned to UK politics, soap star Sue Cleaver asked Hancock about his opinion on the short-lived premiership of former prime minister Liz Truss, saying: “What do you think went wrong Matt?”
“In a way, they were unlucky, in that globally interest rates all went up, just at the time that they were also… bringing in a financial statement where you say, ‘We’re going to do all these expensive things and we’re not going to say how we’re going to pay for them’,” said Hancock.
Cleaver, 59, queried: “Where does that leave her now?”
Hancock responded: “Her political career is over. No ambiguity at all.”
Speaking in the Bush Telegraph, Hancock added: “There I was sat in the comfy red chair and I felt like I was on Mastermind being asked all these questions.”
Journalist and broadcaster Charlene White also joined in on quizzing Hancock, asking the MP for West Suffolk: “Why do you think Tory Party members went for the less experienced…”
Hancock said: “I think that’s all about how Boris got kicked out. It was all about people seeing Rishi as wielding the knife against Boris.”
White, 42, continued: “So they decided to, one could argue, punish the entire country, by putting someone in place who was less experienced?”
Hancock then replied: “That implies a malign motive, which isn’t fair. But they definitely put the disloyalty to Boris as a negative, as a bigger factor than..”
Comedian Seann Walsh, who was also a late arrival to the jungle along with Hancock, then asked: “Were you a Boris die-hard?”
Hancock responded: “Look, I was very supportive of him, but it was time. When it was time to go, it was time to go.”
Referring to former PM Mr Johnson returning to the UK from a holiday shortly after Ms Truss’s resignation, White asked: “When he flew back from his holiday in the Caribbean, what was your first thought?”
To which Hancock revealed: “I texted him and I said, ‘You know I think you’re wonderful but it’s not your time. The best thing for the country is that you should back Rishi and that we should get him in post as soon as possible’.”
Elsewhere in Tuesday evening’s episode, Boy George was seen chanting during the latest Bushtucker trial, which he had to complete alongside Babatunde Aleshe and Chris Moyles in order to earn meals for camp.
The public voted on Monday for the trio to take part in Angel Of Agony, sparing Hancock who had completed six consecutive trials since joining the reality show.
During the trial, the Culture Club star, 61, began chanting while navigating a box full of critters to find a star before handing it to comedian Aleshe, 36, who then apologised profusely for dropping it.
Boy George continued to use his loud chanting to help him through the rest of the challenge as he attempted to unravel two further stars in a chamber full of snakes.
Meanwhile, broadcaster Moyles, 48, became agitated by the critters that were falling on him, saying: “Why did I wear shorts.”
By the end of the challenge the trio has won just three out of the 11 available stars, with Aleshe saying: “I apologise man, this loss was on me.”
To which presenter Declan Donnelly said: “That was really frustrating to watch, it must have been frustrating to be a part of. Babatuunde what happened?”
Aleshe replied: “Look man, I had butterfingers today. I tried my best. Every time I got near to the top and I tried to pass it to Chris it just dropped. I’m annoyed at myself.”
When the trio then returned from the trial, Aleshe said in the Bush Telegraph: “I definitely feel like I let the team down, my campmates down… I just couldn’t get the hang of the trial today.”
Boy George said: “I was proud of myself for overcoming my terror. Then I wanted to cry after.”
While Moyles added: “I don’t think there should be a next time for me.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV.