On Tuesday night’s episode of, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, former health secretary Matt Hancock stated that Liz Truss’ political career is “completely over” and “without a doubt.” Now, Ofcom has verified receiving nearly 2,000 complaints regarding the program.
Matt Hancock disclosed that he persuaded Boris Johnson not to run for prime minister again after Liz Truss quit, stating that her political career “is gone.”
On Tuesday’s edition of, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, the former health secretary was asked about Ms. Truss’s premiership and the competition to succeed her.
It occurred before Ofcom’s confirmation on Wednesday that it had received 1,968 complaints about the show between Tuesday, November 8, when Ant and Dec confirmed Mr. Hancock’s participation, and Monday, November 14.
The bulk of complainants, over 1,100, objected to the MP’s appearance on the show, according to the broadcasting watchdog; nevertheless, some viewers voiced worries about how his fellow participants treated him.
In Tuesday’s program, fellow campmate Sue Cleaver asked Mr. Hancock “what went wrong” for Ms. Truss during her brief tenure as prime minister.
In his response, he said, “In a way, they were unlucky, as global interest rates were rising at the same time they were submitting a financial statement that said, ‘We’re going to do all these expensive things, but we don’t know how we’re going to pay for them.'”
The 59-year-old Cleaver then inquired, “Where does it leave her now?” The 44-year-old man said, “Her career in politics is done. No uncertainty whatsoever. Completely completed.”
In response to further questioning regarding why she was first selected over Rishi Sunak, the former minister stated, “I believe it had everything to do with Boris’s ouster, with Rishi being viewed as Boris’s antagonist.”
Another campmate inquired whether he was a “Boris fanatic.”
Hancock stated that he was “very supportive of him, but it was time for him to leave.”
Upon learning that Mr. Johnson was returning from a vacation overseas, ostensibly to prepare for a leadership campaign, he counseled him not to.
“I texted him and told him, “You know I believe you’re great, but it’s not your time. You should do what’s best for the country and support Rishi.”
“And we should have him assigned as quickly as possible.”
Ofcom will evaluate complaints
A little over a week into the series, the broadcasting watchdog is investigating the complaints it has received thus far.
Before deciding whether to investigate, complaints will be evaluated against Ofcom’s broadcasting guidelines, according to a spokeswoman.
The 1,968 complaints were filed between August 8 and August 14 – the most recent reporting window for Ofcom.
The authority stated in a statement: “It is important to note that, in principle, and taking into account the right to free speech, our guidelines do not prohibit any particular person from participating in programs.
“However, if the mere presence of a person is likely to create offense, broadcasters are expected to take measures to mitigate or justify that offense. It is up to them to determine the editorial strategy for this.”
“Waiting for a banquet of animal genitalia – what happened to public office dignity?”
Ofcom is not the only organization to have received complaints regarding Mr. Hancock’s appearance on reality television.
Kathryn Stone, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, said to MPs on Tuesday that her office had received “dozens of complaints” regarding the former health secretary’s participation in the show.
“It raises extremely critical questions regarding the appropriate actions of members while they are supposed to be carrying out their parliamentary duties and serving their constituents,” she said.
“One member of the public contrasted the dignity of warriors on Remembrance Sunday with that of a former secretary of state, stating that this person was waiting for a buffet of animal genitalia and questioning what had become of the decency of public service.”
COVID bereaved protest over the jungle
Before Tuesday’s show aired, activists hoisted a banner over the Australian encampment that read, “COVID bereaved say leave!”
38 Degrees assisted the organization for relatives of persons who died from coronavirus in flying the banner.
Both allege that those in the jungle witnessed it.
The prime minister is one of many who criticize Hancock’s participation in the show.
Mr. Sunak stated to reporters accompanying him to the G20 conference in Bali: “I believe that at its finest, politics can and should be fairly honorable.
“You must earn the respect of others, right? It is not granted just because one is a politician…
“It is incumbent on all members of parliament to do things that gain people’s respect, such as serving their constituents exceptionally well and making a difference in their lives during surgeries.”
An earlier participant on Tuesday’s episode mentioned that it was odd not to have access to the news.
Presenter Scarlette Douglas wondered, “Is Rishi still in charge?” Hancock responded promptly, “Yes, he will be.”
The ex-minister, who has had the whip withdrawn and claims he will not return to government after appearing on the show, was not chosen to participate in his first bushtucker trial on Tuesday.
Six tasks in a row led to the selection of former Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles.
