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Nadine Dorries ditches MP duties to take part in I'm a Celebrity … Nadine Dorries ditches MP duties to take part in I'm a Celebrity …
(about 2 hours later)
The Tory MP Nadine Dorries has come under fire for opting to spend nearly a month in Australia as a contestant on the reality television show I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, with her constituency Conservative association reportedly organising an urgent meeting to discuss her future. The Tory MP Nadine Dorries has come under fire for opting to spend nearly a month in Australia as a contestant on the reality television show I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here.
Dorries provoked a hail of criticism after flying to Australia to take part in the gruelling jungle-based reality show. Her move surprised many of her colleagues and could keep her from parliamentary and constituency business for a month. Dorries provoked a hail of criticism over plans to take part in the gruelling jungle-based reality show in Australia. Her move surprised many of her colleagues and could keep her from parliamentary and constituency business for a month.
It was reported that Dorries did not ask the Tory chief whip, Sir George Young, for permission to take part in the show. The Mid Bedfordshire Conservative association, which was also not informed, was holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss her future as an MP. It was reported that Dorries did not ask the Tory chief whip, Sir George Young, for permission to take part in the show. The Mid Bedfordshire Conservative association, which was also not informed, was reportedly planning an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss her future as an MP, but a member of the association scotched the claim, saying that there had been "no meeting".
The association could not be reached for comment but the meeting was believed to be taking place at lunchtime. Ashley Green, a member of the association, said it had yet to receive confirmation that Dorries was in Australia. "Once it is confirmed we will see what actions is to be taken, if any," he said.
The Conservative party refused to comment on Dorries's decision, but the home secretary, Theresa May, rebuked her by saying an MP's job was "in their constituency and in the House of Commons". The Conservative party refused to comment on Dorries' decision, but the home secretary, Theresa May, rebuked her by saying an MP's job was "in their constituency and in the House of Commons".
Dorries, who is paid £65,738 a year to serve as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, will be paid up to a maximum of £40,000 for taking part in the show, which begins on Sunday and sees contestants face a series of endurance tests. Previous challenges have included eating unsavoury meals such as kangaroo testicles and crocodile penis. Dorries, who is paid £65,738 a year to serve as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, will be paid up to a maximum of £40,000 for taking part in the show, which begins on Sunday and sees contestants face a series of endurance tests. Previous challenges have included eating kangaroo testicles and crocodile penis.
The Conservative MP, who admitted in interviews that she had never seen the ITV show, appeared unrepentant. Arriving at the camp in Queensland on Monday night, she said the programme would be a platform to reach the public and raise awareness about issues such as reducing the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20.The Conservative MP, who admitted in interviews that she had never seen the ITV show, appeared unrepentant. Arriving at the camp in Queensland on Monday night, she said the programme would be a platform to reach the public and raise awareness about issues such as reducing the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20.
She told the Daily Mail: "I'm doing the show because 16 million people watch it. Rather than MPs talking to other MPs about issues in parliament, I think MPs should be going to where people go."She told the Daily Mail: "I'm doing the show because 16 million people watch it. Rather than MPs talking to other MPs about issues in parliament, I think MPs should be going to where people go."
When asked about her phobias, Dorries, who has previously described David Cameron and Osborne as "arrogant posh boys", replied: "I'm frightened of rats, but then again I do work with them."When asked about her phobias, Dorries, who has previously described David Cameron and Osborne as "arrogant posh boys", replied: "I'm frightened of rats, but then again I do work with them."
Labour seized on the revelation to accuse David Cameron of weak leadership.Labour seized on the revelation to accuse David Cameron of weak leadership.
Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: "It is shameless that a Conservative MP thinks it is right to spend time boosting her own profile on a reality TV show in Australia instead of fighting for jobs and growth in Britain. David Cameron is so weak he cannot even stop his backbenchers appearing on TV when they should be standing up for their constituents. He should get a grip."Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: "It is shameless that a Conservative MP thinks it is right to spend time boosting her own profile on a reality TV show in Australia instead of fighting for jobs and growth in Britain. David Cameron is so weak he cannot even stop his backbenchers appearing on TV when they should be standing up for their constituents. He should get a grip."
Downing Street refused to comment. The prime minister is currently on an official visit to the Middle East.Downing Street refused to comment. The prime minister is currently on an official visit to the Middle East.
May told ITV's This Morning programme: "Each individual member of parliament has to decide how they're going to do their job and it's up to Nadine to decide how she wants to do her job.May told ITV's This Morning programme: "Each individual member of parliament has to decide how they're going to do their job and it's up to Nadine to decide how she wants to do her job.
"Frankly, I think an MP's job is in their constituency and in the House of Commons.""Frankly, I think an MP's job is in their constituency and in the House of Commons."
Dorries, 55, is the first serving MP to take part in a reality show in which viewers get a say on who gets evicted since the Respect MP George Galloway appeared on Celebrity Big Brother six years ago. Dorries will be absent for votes in the Commons and could miss George Osborne's autumn statement on 5 December if she survives on the show long enough.Dorries, 55, is the first serving MP to take part in a reality show in which viewers get a say on who gets evicted since the Respect MP George Galloway appeared on Celebrity Big Brother six years ago. Dorries will be absent for votes in the Commons and could miss George Osborne's autumn statement on 5 December if she survives on the show long enough.
The former Tory MP Louise Mensch, who gave up her Corby seat in August to live with her husband in America, was among those who took to Twitter to criticise Dorries's decision. "Nothing sadder than a politician, or ex-politician, on any of those shows," she said.The former Tory MP Louise Mensch, who gave up her Corby seat in August to live with her husband in America, was among those who took to Twitter to criticise Dorries's decision. "Nothing sadder than a politician, or ex-politician, on any of those shows," she said.
"Just imagining the scene in the whips' office if I said I wanted to skip parliament for weeks to go on a celebrity TV show.""Just imagining the scene in the whips' office if I said I wanted to skip parliament for weeks to go on a celebrity TV show."
She added: "Nadine pretending that a serious issue like abortion rights is why she did this is the lowest of the low. Indefensible stuff."She added: "Nadine pretending that a serious issue like abortion rights is why she did this is the lowest of the low. Indefensible stuff."
A Tory councillor, Nigel Fletcher, tweeted: "You're not a 'celebrity', Nadine, you're a member of parliament, and your constituents pay you to work for them, not ITV."A Tory councillor, Nigel Fletcher, tweeted: "You're not a 'celebrity', Nadine, you're a member of parliament, and your constituents pay you to work for them, not ITV."
The former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik took part in the show after losing his seat in the 2010 general election.The former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik took part in the show after losing his seat in the 2010 general election.
Dorries will compete against the former darts player Eric Bristow and Charlie Brooks, who played Janine Butcher in EastEnders.Dorries will compete against the former darts player Eric Bristow and Charlie Brooks, who played Janine Butcher in EastEnders.
Öpik tweeted his support for Dorries: "Good on Nadine Dorries for the jungle if she's really going in. Go gal!"Öpik tweeted his support for Dorries: "Good on Nadine Dorries for the jungle if she's really going in. Go gal!"