Rishi Sunak has blasted Matt Hancock for his decision to join I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

The former Health Secretary sparked a backlash which has seen him ridiculed and even booted out of the parliamentary Tory party.

Defending his shock decision, father-of-three Mr Hancock insisted that by flying to Australia he can ‘go to where the people are – not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster’.

But in a sting rebuke tonight, Mr Sunak said he was ‘disappointed’ and warned that Mr Hancock risked alienating his West Suffolk constituents.

The Prime Minister told The Sun: ‘I think politics is a noble profession, at its best – it can and should be. But it’s incumbent on politicians to earn people’s respect and trust. They do that by working hard for their constituents, as the vast majority of MPs do. That is why I was very disappointed with Matt’s decision. The vast majority of MPs are really hard-working – they got into it because they want to make a difference for their communities.

‘Most MPs spend their time street by street, constituent by constituent, trying to make a difference, that’s what my colleagues do. That’s really special and why I was disappointed with what Matt did.’

Mr Hancock, who was forced to quit Boris Johnson ‘s Government after he was caught flouting his own Covid lockdown rules with his married aide Gina Coladangelo, previously said: ‘While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run.

‘It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are – not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster. There are many ways to do the job of being an MP. Whether I’m in camp for one day or three weeks, there are very few places people will be able to see a politician as they really are.

‘So, the truth is, I haven’t lost my marbles or had one too many pina coladas. It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. I was elected by the people, and it’s important to engage with voters, especially younger voters, no matter where they are, and show the human side of politicians.’

The news follows reports that Matt ‘angered’ bosses of SAS: Who Dares Wins after signing up to I’m A Celebrity. However, he is said to have already agreed to compete Celebrity SAS in September for the next series which will air in 2023.

Mr Hancock has been isolating at a top-secret location in Queensland, Australia, and is believed to have round-the-clock security.

He is set to make his entrance in camp midweek alongside comedian and former Strictly star Seann Walsh, 36.

Before his departure, the West Suffolk MP said that he felt he could make the journey because the government is stable under Rishi Sunak.

He said he spoke to whips ‘in the same way any MP would when going on a foreign visit’ and added that he  can support Rishi and the Government in ‘different ways’.

He said: ‘As an MP, my first priority is to my constituents. I have agreed with the show’s producers that I can be reached at any point on any urgent constituency matters.

‘While my excellent team in West Suffolk will continue to oversee matters relating to the constituency, like they already do when I’m in Westminster.

‘As soon as my time in camp is up, I will return to Suffolk to hold a surgery where I will catch up with my constituents and discuss matters of concern.’

A probe is being launched into whether he should receive his taxpayer-funded £84,144 salary while in the jungle, as questions are raised over whether he followed the rules on seeking jobs within two years of leaving office.

Mr Hancock did not seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) before agreeing to the appearance, the PA news agency understands.

Lord Pickles, the Conservative chairman of the anti-corruption watchdog that advises on post-ministerial jobs, is expected to write to Mr Hancock to demand clarification.

Under the rules, Mr Hancock should seek clearance from Acoba for any new employment or appointments he takes on until next June.

A spokesman for Mr Hancock said the guidance ‘was followed in good faith’, adding: ‘The Acoba website clearly states that it does not regard media appearances as an appointment or employment.’

But the website only says that ‘one-off’ activities are not applicable, with any ‘longer-term arrangement’ needing a request to Acoba.

Depending on how he fairs during public votes, Mr Hancock could remain in the jungle for weeks.

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Hancock’s I’m A Celeb ‘special treatment’: Ex-Health Secretary is given access to phone and laptop during isolation before going into the jungle – while his co-stars were stripped of technology

By SARAH PACKER, CHIEF SHOWBIZ REPORTER, IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA FOR MAILONLINE

Matt Hancock could find himself embroiled in a row with his I’m A Celebrity campmates after receiving special treatment during his isolation period ahead of entering the jungle.

The Daily Mail can reveal the former Health Secretary, 44, was granted permission to use his phone ‘to carry on working’ as part of a deal he struck with ITV bosses.

Mr Hancock, who lost the Tory whip last week when it was announced he was joining the cast of the show, also has access to his laptop.

He has even been allowed to speak to his personal adviser via Zoom, despite his co-stars having their devices confiscated and being banned from contacting the outside world.

A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Matt has been given a different arrangement during his isolation period to the other contestants. He has been allowed his phone and laptop so that he can carry on working and keep in touch with his constituents.’

The Mail revealed last week that Mr Hancock’s girlfriend Gina Coladangelo, 45, will be flying out to Australia to support his stint.

The source added: ‘The only option for the rest of the cast is to have one designated family member or friend from back home to receive updates on their welfare via a chaperone.

‘Some feel he has been given preferential treatment ahead of his time on the show, especially as stars such as Charlene [White] have found the isolation process extremely difficult and emotionally draining.’

Mr Hancock’s special access could be a point of contention with his campmates, with ITV newsreader Miss White, 42, previously describing the quarantine process as ‘absolute torture.’ 

The Loose Women star, who struggled to hold back tears as she spoke ahead of Sunday night’s launch show, admitted she couldn’t look at photos of her two children – Alfie, five, and Florence, three – because she was yearning for them so much. 

‘I have been trying really hard not to look at their pictures, because I know that it will get me all emotional,’ she said.

Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, 48, described isolating as ‘psychologically fascinating.’ 

Mr Hancock has been isolating at a top-secret location in Queensland, Australia, and is believed to have round-the-clock security.

He is set to make his entrance in camp midweek alongside comedian and former Strictly star Seann Walsh, 36.

The former health secretary said he signed up to the popular ITV series to raise awareness of dyslexia.

He has vowed to give a portion of his fee to charities supporting the cause.

Last week The Sun claimed Mr Hancock could annoy his future campmates by being greedy with food. 

He reportedly irritated his SAS: Who Dares Wins co-stars over his ‘selfish’ food habits during mealtimes on the Channel 4 series. 

A source said: ‘It was clear he wasn’t a team player. Matt looks after number one first, and he’s bound to annoy his I’m A Celebrity cast mates when he does the same thing in the jungle.’

A spokesman for Mr Hancock said: ‘Matt does not have his personal phone at all and any laptop access is for constituency and zoom work purposes only while in quarantine.

‘Matt does not have general internet access. It has been agreed that Matt will be informed about any urgent constituency matter.’

King of the fumble! I’m A Celebrity’s Mike Tindall playfully tackles blonde crew member before heading into the Australian jungle for his first terrifying trial

• The former England rugby ace, 44, threw his arms around the ITV worker and pretended to throw her off the pier and into the water
• Mike had plenty of energy after his isolation period and couldn’t stop laughing as he messed around in between filming
• It comes after Mike confirmed wife Zara will be flying to Australia to support him on I’m A Celebrity ‘if it got to the end’
• Mike will become the first member of the Royal family to compete in the ITV series, which kicks off on Sunday

By Codie Bullen For Mailonline

I’m A Celebrity ‘s Mike Tindall playfully tackled a blonde crew member as he killed time before heading into the Australian jungle for his first terrifying trial.

The former England rugby ace, 44, put his arms around the worker and pretended to throw her off the pier and into the water. 

Mike had plenty of energy after his isolation period and couldn’t stop laughing as he messed around in between filming scenes for the ITV show.

An onlooker told The Sun: ‘Mike cheekily ran up behind the pretty crew member before swinging her around on the pontoon. At one point he pretended to push her over the edge as he killed time while waiting to be taken to his first trial.

‘Mike was certainly bursting with energy after being cooped up in isolation for a week and is bound to be full of practical jokes in the camp.’

It comes after Mike confirmed wife Zara will be flying to Australia to support him on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! ‘if it got to the end’ – and has warned him not to eat too loudly.

The rugby star will become the first member of the Royal family to compete in the ITV series, which kicks off on Sunday.

And his appearance has the full backing of Zara, 41, who is King Charles’ niece, but he’s told how the Olympic equestrian star has begged him not to embarrass her with his uncouth eating style.

Speaking from New South Wales, Australia, Mike, said: ‘We have some work out here so if it got to the end then hopefully, she’d be able to come out.

‘Zara told me to go and be myself, which is all you can be. She said to go enjoy and be yourself.

‘Zara’s biggest worry is how loud I am when I eat. She will be very happy if someone comments about how loud I breathe when I eat because it’s always a point that she brings up.’

Mike, who shares three children with Zara whom he married in 2011, has fond memories of Australia.

He was part of England’s victorious World Cup winning squad who beat the Wallabies in a pulsating final on their home turf in 2003.

It was that same month he met Zara for the first time, in a Sydney bar during the tournament.

Indeed, Mike has such a fondness for Australia he turned down appearing on I’m A Celeb while it was being filmed in Wales for the past two series, preferring to wait until it returned to its traditional home Down Under.

And he asked former England teammate James Haskell and ex-I’m A Celeb star for advice before signing up.

He explained: ‘They asked me while it was in Wales but Wales wasn’t that appealing to me. We come to Australia quite a bit for a couple of stuff that we do over here.

‘Obviously I chatted to Hask about it, and he thought I’d have quite a bit of fun doing it and then we have other commitments over here not long after, so it all fitted together well to make it worthwhile doing it.

‘What I expect from it I’m not entirely sure but hopefully if we have a good bunch of people in camp it’ll be fun, Hask said he had quite a bit of fun with it so I’m looking forward to it.’

Mike says he has ‘no phobias’ and believes he’ll make a good campmate given his history of playing in a team and acknowledging the importance of morale within a group.

He admits his children, daughters Mia, eight and Lena, four, plus son Lucas, one, are too young to stay up to watch their dad in the jungle, but Zara will hopefully ensure they catch up in the mornings.

Mike added: ‘With the kids it’ll be the case of they’ll be in bed before the show goes out on a normal evening, so it’ll be down to Z to get them the highlights – only the good stuff probably.’