FORMER health secretary Matt Hancock has announced he will step down as an MP at the next General Election.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said the Conservative Party must “reconnect with the public we serve”.
This comes following Hancock’s stint on I’m A Celeb, something which was condemned by Rishi Sunak.
Hancock said he had “discovered a whole new world of possibilities which I am excited to explore” and that he was “incredibly proud” of what he achieved during his time in Government, where he served as health secretary during the height of the Covid pandemic.
READ MORE: Scottish independence support at 56%, Ipsos Mori poll finds
He was forced to resign from that post after video footage of him emerged of him kissing aide Gina Coladangelo in a breach of coronavirus restrictions.
Following his time in the jungle, there was much speculation surrounding whether or not Hancock would continue to serve as an MP.
He has also released his Pandemic Diaries, in which he has insisted Nicola Sturgeon yearned for a travel ban with England and that she forced the Tories into a U-turn on face masks.
My letter to the Prime Minister 👇
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) December 7, 2022
I look forward to exploring new ways to communicate with people of all ages and from all backgrounds pic.twitter.com/PPvWB6McyM
The letter read: “For my part, I want to do things differently. I have discovered a whole new world of possibilities which I am excited to explore – new ways for me to communicate with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
“I look forward to championing the issues that are dear to my heart, including better support for dyslexic children who get a raw deal for the education system.
“It has been an honour to serve in Parliament and represent the people of West Suffolk. I will play my part in the debate about the future of our country and engage with the public in new ways.”
Hancock was first elected as an MP for West Suffolk at the 2010 General Election. Prior to his time as health secretary, he served as paymaster general and as culture minister.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel