Matt Hancock has revealed he advised Boris Johnson not to run for prime minister again after Liz Truss resigned – and claimed her political career “is over”.
On Tuesday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, the former health secretary was asked about Ms Truss’s premiership and the race to replace her.
Asked by fellow camp mate Sue Cleaver “want went wrong”, he replied: “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’.”
Cleaver, 59, then asked: “Where does that leave her now?”
Hancock, 44, replied: “Her political career is over. No ambiguity at all. Totally finished.”
But pressed further on why she was chosen over Rishi Sunak initially, the former minister said: “I think that was all about how Boris got kicked out… people seeing Rishi as wielding the knife against Boris.”
Probed again, another campmate asked him if he was a “Boris diehard”.
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Hancock said that he was “very supportive of him, but when it was time to go, it was time to go”.
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Hancock says he is ‘looking for forgiveness’
He revealed that after it emerged Mr Johnson was returning from a holiday abroad, seemingly to gear up a leadership campaign, his former colleague advised him not to.
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“I texted him and I said ‘you know I think you’re wonderful, but it’s not your time, you should do what’s best for the country and back Rishi’.
“‘And we should get him in post as soon as possible’.”
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Former health secretary covered in slime
COVID bereaved protest over jungle
Earlier on Tuesday, campaigners flew a banner over the Australian campsite that read: “COVID bereaved say get out of here!”
The organisation for relatives of people who died of coronavirus was supported by the group 38 Degrees in flying the banner.
Both claim it was seen by those in the jungle.
The prime minister is among those criticising Hancock for taking part in the show.
Speaking to reporters travelling with him to the G20 summit in Bali, Mr Sunak said: “I think politics at its best can and should be actually quite noble.
“You have to earn people’s respect, right. It is not given just because you are a politician…
“It is incumbent on all members of parliament to do the things that earn people’s respect and that’s serving your constituents really well, making a difference to them in surgeries.”
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Earlier in Tuesday’s episode, one contestant remarked that it was strange not to have access to the news.
Presenter Scarlette Douglas said: “I wonder if Rishi’s still in power.” Hancock immediately replied: “Yeah he will be.”
The ex-minister, who has had the whip removed and says he will not get back into government after going on the show, was not selected to do a bushtucker trial for the first time on Tuesday.
After six challenges in a row, former Radio 1 Breakfast Show presenter Chris Moyles was chosen instead.
MTV Awards host Rita Ora paid a poignant tribute to her friend Liam Payne on stage at the ceremony, saying he had the “biggest heart”.
Ora, who duetted with Payneon the song For You from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack in 2018, became emotional as she spoke about the One Direction star towards the end of the event.
Speaking on stage at the MTV Europe Awards in Manchester, Ora described Payne as “one of the kindest people” she ever knew.
Her voice shaking, the 33-year-old appeared tearful as she addressed the audience.
“I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us,” she said. “We lost him recently and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world.”
Payne “had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could”, she added. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on the world.”
The tribute took place near the end of a ceremony which saw Taylor Swift crowned best artist – making her the first act to claim the award three times.
The star, who is about to resume her record-breaking Eras tour next week, also won the awards for best live act and best video for Fortnight, her collaboration with Post Malone. She did not attend the event, but gave a recorded speech to accept all three.
Sabrina Carpenter‘s mega hit Espresso was crowned best song, while Ariana Grande was named best pop act and South African star Tyla – one of the night’s performers – picked up the awards for best Afrobeats and best R’n’B.
British singer Raye, who cleaned up at the Brits earlier this year, was named best UK and Ireland act, and also performed her hits Escapism and Body Dysmorphia as her name shone in lights behind her.
Hip-hop star Busta Rhymes received the global icon award before performing a medley of hits including Break Ya Neck, Put My Hands Where Your Eyes Could See, and I Know What You Want.
“I’ve never got an award from MTV before,” he said, as he accepted the trophy from British star Little Simz. “Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV.
“It feels f****** incredible.”
The night was opened by Benson Boone, who made a show-stopping entrance suspended in the air playing a golden piano before touching down to perform his hit, Beautiful Things, as pyrotechnics sparked around him.
He quickly went on to pick up the first prize of the night, for best new artist.
“Thank you guys for changing my life,” he told the crowd. “I promise you I will be giving it all back to you.”
Rapper Eminem was also among the winners, accepting his best hip-hop gong in a video speech which he started in a mock British accent. “I appreciate y’all, man,” he added.
Other award winners were announced on screen, including Liam Gallagher for best rock and Calvin Harris in the best electronic category.
The show was closed by the Pet Shop Boys, who performed the classic hit West End Girls and their new cover of Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes, after being honoured with the pop pioneers award.
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Shaun Ryder and Bez talk pop and politics
Earlier in the night, stars gathered on the red carpet – including some local Mancunian guests including Blossoms and Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez.
This is the first time the MTV event, which is held in different European cities each year, has taken place in the UK since a ceremony in London in 2017 – when Payne performed Strip That Down, his first solo single, to launch his career after One Direction.
It has also previously been held in Liverpool and Glasgow, but this is a first for Manchester and its new Co-op Live arena – which opened earlier this year, albeit three weeks later than planned due to several setbacks and cancellations.
Last year’s EMAs ceremony was planned for Paris, but was cancelled amid security concerns “given the volatility of world events” following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The European awards are separate to the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which take place in the US earlier in the year.
Swift dominated at that ceremony, taking home seven gongs to equal Beyonce’s career total of 30 and match her as most-awarded musician in VMAs history.
But her three EMA wins take her to a career total of 18 – which means she still has a few to go to equal Justin Bieber’s record of 22.
Jamie Oliver has withdrawn a children’s book he wrote from sale after criticism that it stereotyped First Nation Australians.
In his book, Billy And The Epic Escape, the TV chef tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community who gets abducted by the novel’s villain.
But the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) blasted the book for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”.
The body’s chief executive, Sharon Davis, said the book “ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people” and that its depictions of First Nations people and cultural practices were “irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect”, according to The Guardian
In a statement, Oliver, 49, said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.
“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”
A spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House said: “It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.”
The chef published his first children’s book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year and said in a social media post that he had “carefully chosen the font to make sure the text is as clear as possible” as people with dyslexia, which Oliver has, can find it hard to read.
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He is also well-known for fronting several TV series including Jamie’s Easy Christmas (2022), Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean (2023) and Jamie: Fast And Simple, which began airing on Channel 4 last month.
At the start of his career, he was known as The Naked Chef, after his 1999 book and TV series of the same name.