UK

Kate Garraway confronts Matt Hancock over Covid response and I’m a Celeb appearance

Rachael Burford

Tue, 31 January 2023 

Matt Hancock has insisted he did not "primarily" go on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! for the money as he was grilled by Kate Garraway.

The former Health Secretary was confronted about the Government's Covid response, breaking pandemic restrictions and his appearance on reality TV during an awkward exchange on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

Ms Garraway, whose husband Derek Draper spent months in an induced coma after contracting coronavirus and continues to suffer from severe long Covid, questioned why he decided to take part in the reality series when the public was still "raw" about his behaviour during the pandemic.

The West Suffolk MP was sacked from his cabinet job when it was revealed he been conducting an affair with Gina Coladangelo during Covid restrictions.

He lost the Tory whip when he entered the Australian jungle last year.

"The problem is that because you were Health Secretary," Ms Garraway said. "Because at that time, I couldn't visit Derek in hospital.

"He couldn't see his kids. Thousands of others couldn't go and see the people they loved for various reasons because they were following the guidelines and you have to understand it was all very muddled at that point for us out here in the world.

"It gives the impression that you still don't get why they are cross. You still don't get why people are upset."

Mr Hancock said the programme was “one of the few ways that you can really communicate with the British public”.

He described the 3 per cent of his £320,000 I’m A Celeb fee he gave to charity as a “decent sum”.

The £10,000 donation was made to the British Dyslexia Association.

Mr Hancock described it as “more than my MPs’ salary”, which he still received while appearing on the show.

Co-host Richard Madeley asked him if "the money wasn't important to you, why have you held on to most of it?”

"I did absolutely give some of the money to charity," Mr Hancock said.

"I didn't primarily do it for the money, I primarily did it to try to show who I am."

He did concede that "of course there was a discussion and negotiation over the fee".