‘Making an idiot of himself’ – Matt Hancock blasted by constituents for ditching them for £400,000 I’m A Celeb payday

NEWMARKET trainers have slammed their ‘ridiculous’ MP Matt Hancock over his decision to join I’m A Celeb.

The former Health Secretary sparked outcry and was ditched by the Tory party after agreeing to a £400,000 payday to take part in the hit ITV show.

Times Newspapers Ltd

Matt Hancock is MP for Newmarket and is a big racing fan[/caption]

And no-one was more scathing than Hancock’s constituents in the Flat racing hub.

Hancock has been the MP for West Suffolk, which includes Newmarket, since 2010.

He has taken up the fight on a number of racing-related issues during his time as MP, even fronting a march against plans to build a solar farm near the town.

But some of the most prominent trainers in the town were furious to learn he will be jetting off the Australia for the reality TV show.

William Jarvis, chairman of the National Trainers Federation, told the Racing Post: “I’m very disappointed.

“It’s not what we expect of our local MP. Up until now he’d done a reasonable job for our industry but he’s obviously thinking of himself rather than his constituents.

“I presume we’ll be looking for a new member of parliament when the time comes.”

Derby-winning trainer Michael Bell, who often shared jokes with the late Queen, was similarly angry.

He said: “To say he can cover important local and national issues from the jungle is ridiculous.

“There is an argument for engaging with a different audience but there is a time and a place for doing so.

“Potentially making an idiot of yourself in the jungle is maybe not his wisest career move.”

The well-respected Chris Wall, chairman of the Newmarket Heath Committee, added: “I think Hancock has made a serious lack of judgement, which is disappointing in a man who has held an office of state and has done quite a good job as our constituency MP.

“I think it’s also very disappointing he doesn’t take his job seriously enough.

“The traffic is a real concern at the moment. Coming back from Warren Hill this morning the traffic was stationary and it took me 20 minutes to cover a mile.

“I think he could be using his time a lot more constructively.”

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