Matt Hancock's arrival in the jungle has been met with criticism from the public and politicians, including those in Copeland.

The former health secretary, 44, joined the cast of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Wednesday and was met with a mixture of shock, incredulity and uncontrollable laughter from campmates.

The West Suffolk MP had the Conservative Party whip removed after announcing his plans to join the show.

Tony Lywood, the 2019 Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Copeland, said: “Matt Hancock’s record in public life isn’t a good one and his handling of the Covid restrictions was poor to disastrous.

“His private life has also been difficult for him. This jaunt into the jungle for a disgraced politician is a desperate attempt to revive his status, popularity and appeal, not to mention the reported £400,000 which is among the top payments to anyone in the show.

“He tried, rather transparently, to justify this appearance by wanting to highlight dyslexia and other laudable issues but actually, as the former rugby player Mike Tindall so aptly put it on the show itself, ‘all I heard was, bull***t, bull***t, bull***t’.

“Time will tell, and Matt Hancock may become more popular and seemingly more human as the show goes on but his restriction of attendance at funerals in the Covid period and the absolute disgraceful way the old in care homes were treated will not be forgotten or forgiven by most people.”

Graham Roberts, a Conservative county councillor for Bransty, said: “I don’t think it’s the wisest thing to do. It’s angered the chief whip. Nadine Dorries did it and she got the whip back.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate. You should be accessible. It’s like councillors going in the Big Brother house. It’s obviously his decision to do it.

“Being in politics is a rather specific role. You can’t just do what you like.”

Shortly after arriving in the jungle, Hancock took part in the Beastly Burrows Bushtucker Trial challenge alongside fellow late entry, comedian Seann Walsh - and was later selected again by the public to face a second trial.

READ MORE: Matt Hancock showered with bugs and sludge during first I’m A Celebrity trial