Matt Hancock has sparked controversy once again after setting up his own TV company to pave the way for a lucrative broadcasting career.
The former Health Secretary who was forced to resign after being caught breaching government Covid rules previously appeared on I'm A Celebrity last year for which he received £320,000. Now, it appears he has gotten a taste for television after setting up a limited company called Greenhazel which lists itself as being involved in television programming and broadcasting activities.
Many were swift to brand the move as distasteful, with Labour MP Richard Burgan declaring it damaging to democracy. Mr Burgan is currently campaigning for a bill which would ban MPs from having a second job.
Mr Burgan told the Sunday People: "Matt Hancock is another example of an MP chasing corporate cash when he should be serving his constituents. This is exactly the kind of thing that helps to breed cynicism in our politics, it shortchanges the public and it damages democracy.
"The decision to go into the jungle was disgraceful, and this is more of the same. MPs should not be chasing celebrity money.”
Hancock previously announced his plans to quit as an MP for West Suffolk after the next general election. He set up Greenhazel Ltd on January 5 and is listed as the sole officer of the company.
Later this year, he will appear on Celebrity: SAS Who Dates Wins and has indicated plans to make documentaries that look at serious topics such as dyslexia and assisted dying. He previously said his primary reason for appearing on I'm A Celebrity was to campaign for dyslexia sufferers and also donated £10,000 to causes supporting dyslexia.
However, the move was criticised in January after it was revealed that only three per cent of his I'm A Celebrity money was used for the donation. Hancock is not the only politician to appear on I'm A Celebrity - In 2012, Nadine Dorries became the first serving MP to appear on the show.
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