Matt Hancock broke government rules over I’m a Celebrity stint, says watchdog chair

Eric Pickles says former health secretary did not consult Acoba before appearing on reality TV show

Matt Hancock breached the government's business appointment rules by not consulting the watchdog before appearing on I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!, the chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) has said.

In a letter to the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, Eric Pickles wrote: I am writing to you in my capacity as chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to bring to your attention a breach of the government's business appointment rules.