Matt Hancock could be barred from running as a Tory in the next election

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Matt Hancock could be barred from standing as a Conservative candidate for parliament in the next general election.

The MP for West Suffolk was suspended from the party in November after announcing he would be appearing on reality TV show I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

Ex-Health Secretary's decision to travel to Australia while Parliament was still functioning provoked a backlash among his constituents and colleagues, including the Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak said he was "disappointed" with Mr Hancock's choice, adding that MPs "should work hard for their constituents".

Mr. Hancock was suspended on November 1 for choosing to join the ITV show

(PA Archive)

Mr. Hancock was suspended - or in political speech had the whip removed - by the Conservative Party on November 1.

According to The Times, he will not be reinstated until December 5 - a week after he is expected to return from the jungle if he reaches the final and when MPs are to tell the party if they intend to stand in the next general election.

Tory sources told the newspaper he took Nadine Dorries, culture secretary under Boris Johnson, six months to have the whip restored after she appeared on the show in 2013.

They have also pointed out that she was a junior MP to Hancock, who also served as Culture Secretary.

Mr. Hancock could still continue in the constituency as an independent MP, but the party would have to choose a new candidate.

On Friday evening, Mr Hancock survived the first round of public voting to remove celebrities from the jungle .

Journalist Charlene White has become the first campmate to leave the jungle after appearing in a Bushtucker trial in which she and popstar Boy George were awarded two stars.