Hancock to make films about assisted dying
Former health secretary considering career in ‘serious documentaries’ after his stint in the jungle
MATT HANCOCK is planning a series of “serious documentaries” on assisted dying and his dyslexia after he has left public office, The Sunday Telegraph understands.
Allies of the former health secretary said that after his appearances on reality television shows he believes that he should use his public platform to educate the public about political issues.
This week Mr Hancock announced that he planned to stand down from Parliament at the next election, telling Rishi Sunak he had “discovered a whole world of possibilities” outside Westminster, including “new ways…to communicate with people of all ages and from all backgrounds”.
He is understood to have received offers from major broadcasters and is considering a new career as a documentary presenter. Sources close to him said he had decided he backed assisted dying during the pandemic, while supporting a colleague who was terminally ill and wanted to end their own life.
He had previously been against the practice, which is outlawed in the UK, and is planning to work on a “serious documentary” about it, they added.
MPs have historically been given a “free vote” on assisted dying because it is seen as a conscience issue. In the last Commons vote, in 2015, a bid to change the law defeated by 330 votes to 118.
This week it was reported that members of Mr Hancock’s constituency Conservative association in West Suffolk had written to Simon Hart, the Chief Whip, declaring he was “not fit” to represent them.
His appearance on I’m A Celebrity…
Get Me Out of Here! caused anger among constituents who argued he should not have taken part in the show for an estimated fee of £400,000, while Parliament was still in session.
It is understood that Mr Hancock had twice previously declined requests to appear on the programme but finally agreed after Mr Sunak conducted his first reshuffle and did not appoint him to a ministerial role.
A source said after he was asked a third time he was “on a plane to Australia within 96 hours”.
It is also claimed that despite anger from West Suffolk Conservatives, he has received a deluge of speaking invitations from other associations, and was bombarded with constituents’ requests for selfies in a variety of locations including a jockey club and food bank on a visit to Newmarket last weekend.
While serving as health secretary, Mr Hancock ordered a review of evidence on assisted dying as he opened the door to a law change.
Parliament’s Health Committee has launched an inquiry into the issue and is expected to report its findings next year.