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ITV I'm a Celebrity

“She’s not a celebrity, she’s an MP”: Tory MP Nadine Dorries suspended amid public criticism for taking part in I’m a Celeb…

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By Jennifer Faull, Deputy Editor

November 6, 2012 | 3 min read

Mid-Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries has come under fire for her decision to take part in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, with a Conservative Party source telling the BBC that she has been suspended.

It has been reported she failed to give notice that she would be absent from duties for up to a month whilst she is in the jungle, leaving the Conservative Party wondering exactly how she will continue to do parliamentary and constituency business.

Dorries has defended her decision saying that she wants to use her appearance on the reality show to raise awareness of issues she is interested in.

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.”

"I'm not going in there to upset people, but I have opinions. There are certain causes that I'm interested in, one of which is '20 Weeks'.

"I will be talking about this issue around the campfire. I hope there will be some lively, heated debates."

Commenting on her time off from duties she added: "I've worked seven years as an MP and I've never taken a day off work in Parliamentary time. I've worked all through recess and I only had four days off this summer.

"Parliament is in half-term while I'm there. I've not done anything to prepare for the jungle. I worked right up until I left the UK for Australia."

The Prime Minister has thus far refused to comment, simply saying: "Nadine Dorries can speak for herself on this issue,” whilst other MPs have voiced their opinions on the matter.

Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston called for Dorries resignation on BBC Radio 4, saying: "I was horrified; frankly, I think it just makes her look ridiculous and it brings politics into disrepute.

"I think politicians have to decide sometimes whether they want to be celebrities or whether they want to do a serious job, which is about representing their constituents in Parliament."

The Taxpayers' Alliance, which lobbies for lower taxes and greater government efficiency, said: "While she is being a Z-list celebrity, her constituents will be without an MP."

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