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“Quite a lot” of MPs and peers have downloaded the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! app in order to vote for Matt Hancock to do bushtucker trials, a cabinet minister has said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris told Sky News he did not watch the MP for West Suffolk on the ITV reality show on Wednesday evening, but understands many of his colleagues in parliament are trying to influence what happens during his time in the jungle.

“So I know the format of the show, and I do believe there’s quite a lot of people in a building not too far away from here, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, who’ve downloaded a certain app so they can vote,” he told Kay Burley.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.”

Probed as to whether this was a true story, Mr Heaton-Harris replied: “Yes, of course.”

Sunak to meet devolved leaders for the first time as PM – follow live politics updates

Pic: ITV/Shuttershock
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Pic: ITV/Shuttershock

The Northern Ireland secretary added Mr Hancock “should be here with us voting and debating in parliament”.

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Asked whether he thinks it is “totally inappropriate” Mr Hancock is currently on the other side of the world, Mr Heaton-Harris said: “I mean, I’ve read this morning what he said about how he wants to prove that all MPs are human and that’s actually true – all MPs are human.

“But I think we do that every day in our constituencies and (through) what we do in parliament.”

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle accused Mr Hancock of using his dyslexia campaigning as an “excuse” for appearing on the show.

“I’m very severely dyslexic. When I heard that Matt Hancock had used the excuse of dyslexia for going on there, I was really upset by it because I want dyslexia to be associated with success,” he told Sky News.

“For those of us who have neurological challenges and we overcome them, I think we all acknowledge that it gives us something positive in life because what you learn by overcoming channel challenges is a pathway to success.

“Very often what Matt Hancock has done is once again just associated dyslexia with failure.

“And I hate that, I just wish that we could get back to the point where we’re talking about the positive attributes to some of the barriers that people have in life.

“Matt Hancock just seems to be always dragging all of the good things in life down into the gutter.”

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Would the Commons Speaker go on I’m A Celebrity

Mr Hancock, who was health secretary during the coronavirus pandemic until June 2021, got a mixed reception from campmates when he made his debut on I’m A Celebrity on Wednesday evening.

Boy George revealed his mother was in hospital during the pandemic and said if she had not survived he would have quit the show when Mr Hancock entered.

The Culture Club singer was in tears after the former health secretary, who was booted out of the Conservative Party over his decision to head to the jungle, entered camp for the first time.

Meanwhile, DJ Chris Moyles said “I can’t help but think he should be at work.”

Former professional rugby player Mike Tindall accused him of talking “b*******”.

TV news presenter Charlene White questioned the former minister about why he had come on the show.

Mr Hancock replied it was because there was “stability” in government.

Ms White replied: “We’ve had stability for all of five minutes Matt.”

Mr Hancock then said: “Rishi’s great, he’ll be fine.”

The controversial contestant entered the ITV show alongside comedian Seann Walsh.

The pair were thrown in at the deep end by taking on “the beastly burrows” bushtucker trial to win food for the celebrities, and to make their way through creepy crawly-filled tunnels blindfolded to collect their stars.

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Politicians who swapped Westminster for reality tv

Opening the show, presenters Ant and Dec joked that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had now “downloaded the I’m A Celebrity app” so he could vote for Mr Hancock to face the trials.

After arriving back at camp with six stars out of a possible 11, Mr Hancock chatted with the other celebrities, as Boy George laughed and told him: “You’re really going to get it. You’re really going to get it.”

TV presenter and property developer Scarlette Douglas then asked the former minister why he had decided to do the show.

“Why?” he replied. “Because, all politicians are known – and me in particular – for being in a very sort of strict way of being, which is just not actually how we are.”

Instead, he insisted he was “more human than that”.

After a public vote for who should do the next bushtucker trial, Mr Hancock was chosen. He will do the task later, with his performance being shown on ITV tonight.

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What China could do next as Trump’s tariff war ramps up

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What China could do next as Trump's tariff war ramps up

The severity cannot be overstated, if an additional 50% tariffs are levied on all Chinese goods it will decimate trade between the world’s two biggest economies.

Remember, 50% would sit on top of what is already on the table: 34% announced last week, 20% announced at the start of US President Donald Trump’s term, and some additional tariffs left over from his first term in office.

In total, it means all Chinese goods would face tariffs of over 100%, some as high as 120%.

It’s a price that makes any trade almost impossible.

China is really the only nation in the world at the moment that is choosing to take a stand.

While others are publicly making concessions and sending delegations to negotiate, China has clearly calculated that not being seen to be bullied is worth the cost that retaliation will bring.

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Tariffs: Xi hits back at Trump

The real question, though, is if the US does indeed impose this extra 50% tomorrow, what could or would China do next?

It has said it will “fight to the end”, but what does that mean?

In reality, there are few good options.

There are some obvious measures that China will almost certainly enact.

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Further export controls on rare earth minerals (crucial for the development of high-tech products) are one example. China controls a huge proportion of the world’s supply, but the US would likely find workarounds in time.

Hiking tariffs on high-impact US products such as agricultural goods is another option, but there is only so far this could go.

The potentially more impactful options have significant drawbacks for Beijing.

It could, for instance, target high-profile American companies such as Apple and Tesla, but this isn’t ideal at a time when China is trying to attract more foreign investment, and some devaluation of the currency is possible, but it would also come with adverse effects.

Other options are more political and come with the risk of escalation beyond the economic arena.

In an opinion piece this morning, the editor of Xinhua, China’s state news agency, speculated that China could cease all cooperation with the US on the war against fentanyl.

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This has been a major political issue for Mr Trump, and it’s hard to see it would not constitute some sort of red line for him.

Other options touted include banning the import of American films, or perhaps calling for the Chinese public to boycott all American products.

Anything like this comes with a sense that the world’s two most powerful superpowers might be teetering on the edge of not just a total economic decoupling, but cultural separation too.

There is understandably serious nervousness about how that could spiral and the precedent it sets.

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South Korean military fire at North Korean soldiers ‘crossing demarcation line’

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South Korean military fire at North Korean soldiers 'crossing demarcation line'

South Korea’s military said its soldiers fired warning shots at North Korean troops who crossed the demarcation line between the two countries.

Around 10 North Korean soldiers violated the military line on Tuesday, but returned after it made warning broadcasts and fired warning shots, South Korea’s military said.

In a text sent to reporters, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said “North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) in the eastern area of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) around 5:00 pm local time.

In this photo provided Thursday, March 27, 2025, by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center left in a black jacket, stands by what appeared to be a large reconnaissance drone at an undisclosed location in North Korea, earlier this week. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, centre left in a black jacket, stands by what appeared to be a large reconnaissance drone at an undisclosed North Korean location. File pic: AP

“Our military is closely monitoring the North Korean military’s activity and taking necessary measures according to the operational procedures.”

Some of the North Korean soldiers were armed, according to the South Korean military.

There is no clear motive for the crossing, but tensions between the two countries have been running high as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to order missile tests and align with Russia over President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

North Korean special operations units are among the thousands of troops that Pyongyang has sent to Russia to fight in the Ukraine war, according to South Korea.

In January, Pyongyang tested a hypersonic missile of intermediate range, in a sign of its determination to continue its weapons development programme.

Since re-entering the White House, US President Donald Trump has said he would reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again to revive diplomatic efforts begun during his first term.

The secretive regime has not responded to Mr Trump’s remarks, but recently claimed US hostilities against it had deepened since the inauguration.

Last month, Mr Kim’s sister threatened the Trump administration with retaliatory action for stepping up “provocations” with the deployment of a US aircraft carrier to South Korea.

Bloodshed and violent confrontations have occasionally occurred at the Koreas’ heavily fortified border, called the Demilitarised Zone, or DMZ.

But when North Korean troops briefly violated the border in June last year, it didn’t escalate as South Korean officials realised they were carrying construction tools and decided the incursion was accidental.

The 155-mile (249km)-long, 2.5-mile (4km)-wide DMZ is the world’s most heavily armed border.

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Around two million mines are inside and near the border, which is also guarded by barbed wire fences, tank traps and combat troops on both sides.

It’s a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The incursion comes as South Korea copes with a leadership vacuum after the ousting of President Yoon Suk Yeol last week over his ill-fated imposition of martial law.

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King and Queen watch flypast over Rome as state visit to Italy under way

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King and Queen watch flypast over Rome as state visit to Italy under way

The King and Queen received a red carpet welcome and watched a flypast as they were greeted by Italy’s president following their arrival in Rome for a state visit. 

The royal couple were met by President Sergio Mattarella at his official residence in Rome, the Quirinale Palace, after their limousine was escorted into the palace quadrangle by mounted Corazzieri guards.

Laura Mattarella, the president’s daughter acting in a first lady role following the death of her mother, was also there to greet Charles and Camilla.

The couple landed at Rome’s Ciampino Airport on Tuesday morning, where again they had a red carpet rolled out for them as they were met by dignitaries, including the UK’s ambassador to Italy, Edward Llewellyn.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla are recieved by Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and his  daughter and First Lady of Italy Laura Mattarella for their ceremonial welcome at Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy, April 8, 2025. Victoria Jones/Pool via REUTERS
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The King and Queen are received by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura. Pic: Reuters

Britain's King Charles is welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella (not pictured) during the state visit to Italy, at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
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King Charles is welcomed at Quirinale Palace. Pic: Reuters

Charles, Camilla, President Mattarella and his daughter stood still as they listened to the national anthems of Italy and the UK being played out at the Quirinale.

Lined up nearby them were a guard of honour formed of the Quirinale Band, troops from the Italian army, navy and air force, members of Italy’s military police the Carabinieri and mounted Corazzieri guards.

The King and Queen watched a joint flypast over the capital by the Italian air force’s aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, streaming Italy’s national colours, and the RAF’s Red Arrows who left red, white and blue smoke in their wake.

King Charles and Queen Camilla along with Italy's President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter and First Lady of Italy Laura Mattarella view a flypast by the Frecce Tricolori and Red Arrows at the Quirinale Palace for their ceremonial welcome, in Rome, Italy.
Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

King Charles walks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, during the state visit to Italy, at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy.
Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

Honours were later exchanged by the King and the president at the palace.

The King was made a Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, and he presented Mr Mattarella with the insignia for a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

“It goes back quite a long way,” said Charles. “It’s just a token really of our appreciation, you’ve served for so long.”

“I’m humbled, your majesty,” Mr Mattarella replied.

The Queen was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, and told her host: “I’m very honoured and humbled.”

A flypast by Italy's Frecce Tricolori  and the UK's Red Arrows that takes place for King Charles and Queen Camilla is visible in the skyline from Gianicolo Hill in Rome, Italy
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The flypast was visible in the skyline from Gianicolo Hill. Pic: Reuters

A flypast by Italy's Frecce Tricolori and the UK's Red Arrows that takes place for King Charles and Queen Camilla overpasses the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
Pic: Reuters
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The flypast overpassing the Colosseum.
Pic: Reuters

What else is on Charles and Camilla’s schedule?

After meeting the president, the couple visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located within the Victor Emmanuel II Monument (also known as Altare della Patria) in Rome’s famed Piazza Venezia, where they lay a wreath.

Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy were also in attendance.

Corazzieri honour guards march, on the day King Charles and Queen Camilla visit, in Rome, Italy.
Pic: Reuters
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Corazzieri honour guards march on the day King Charles and Queen Camilla visit.
Pic: Reuters

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto walk after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Pic: Reuters
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Charles, Camilla and Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto walk after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Pic: Reuters

King Charles and Queen Camilla walk in front of Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and  David Lammy after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier  at the Altare della Patria monument at Piazza Venezia in Rome, Italy.
Pic: Reuters
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The royal couple walk in front of Mr Crosetto and David Lammy while visiting the Altare della Patria.
Pic: Reuters

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Pic: PA
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Charles and Camilla visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Pic: PA

Charles and Camilla are scheduled to head to the Colosseum later in the day, where they will be meeting schoolchildren.

They are also attending a British community reception.

The timing of Charles and Camilla’s visit means they will spend their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday in Italy.

The trip comes just less than a fortnight after Buckingham Palace confirmed the King had been taken to hospital following side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment.

Last week, he returned to a full diary of official engagements, albeit slightly adjusted to give more time for rest ahead of the trip to Italy.

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The four-day visit to Italy, on behalf of the government, is an important step in continuing efforts to bolster relationships with EU countries following Brexit, but also significant in the context of Donald Trump‘s presidency and the disruption that has caused.

The King and Queen were also due to visit the Vatican City and meet Pope Francis, but that was postponed in recent weeks due to the Pope’s ill health.

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