Member of the Scottish Parliament Kezia Dugdale has bragged that she will be receiving a large fee for her appearance on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The former Scottish Labour leader, 36, jetted off to Australia last week to take part in the reality show against the wishes of her party.
But Ms Dugdale, who will be leaving her constituents without an MP for three weeks, has defended her decision to appear on the show – pledging to donate her tax-payer funded salary to the Rock Trust homeless charity for the duration of her time away.
Member of the Scottish Parliament Kezia Dugdale has bragged that she will be receiving a large fee for her appearance on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The former Scottish Labour leader, 36, jetted off to Australia last week to take part in the reality show despite her party disapproving of the appearance
Speaking to the Sun, she said: ‘There’s no doubt that I’m receiving a fee for this in return for being away for three weeks, so I’m not suggesting for a second that the sums involved are in any sense small.’
She also said she plans to donate some of her ITV fee but did not say how much.
‘I haven’t settled what portion will go to charity yet as there’s lots of things I have to do like pay taxes,’ she added.
‘I’ll do that on return but I have already paid my salary in advance. Raising money for charity is part of the reason I’m doing this.’
Yesterday, Labour MSPs met to decide whether she should be suspended – with some saying her decision to go was ‘utterly ludicrous’.
But Scottish Labour Business Manager James Kelly said: ‘Today, the group concluded that Kezia Dugdale would not face suspension’, adding she would be interviewed when she returns from Down Under.
Several people disagreed with the decision to appear on the show, with some calling her an ’embarrassment’
Dov Trams agreed with her decision to give her salary to charity, however said she should have stepped down as an MSP first
Her decision to appear on the show has been met with mixed reviews by voters.
Several people disagreed with the decision, with some calling her an ’embarrassment’.
Andy Disley wrote on Twitter: ‘Kezia Dugdale an acting MP going into #ImACelebrity is a disgrace.
‘1) Abandoning her job 2) She isn’t a celebrity 3) The labour leader saying it’s ok.
‘WTF! An embarrassment to politics.’
However, several people said the decision was a good idea and wished her luck
Martyn Crofts said: ‘What an embarrassment. Always Labour apparently but not when you’re in the jungle. Also totally surprised you just ignored the parties request not to go. That says a lot. But hey you can live with no guilt because you’re a politician.’
Ian Masterton wrote on the website: ‘How can you think this is a good idea? You know what you signed up to! Give up your seat and live your life as you want. You are demeaning your position @kezdugdale.’
Another user, under the name of Never Better 2012, approved of Scottish Labour’s decision.
He said: ‘I see @kezdugdale has avoided suspension. Probably right decision on balance, but she’s paid to represent the public, not entertain them, so should do just that.’
However, several people were pleased with her decision to appear on the show.
But Ms Dugdale, who will be leaving her constituents without an MP for three weeks, has defended her decision to appear on the show
She has pledged to donate her tax-payer funded salary to the Rock Trust homeless charity for the duration of her time away
Christopher Mclellan wrote: ‘@scottishlabour Your party really needs to get with the times, so what if a member has decided to do something other than being a politician. Well done @kezdugdale and good luck! Now get back to focusing on winning back Scottish voters!!!’
User Govan Guy said: ‘@kezdugdale good luck in the jungle. I admire you. Time you got out more. Awrabest!’
In 2012, Tory MP Nadine Dorries was suspended from the party after she appeared on the show in 2012. She was reinstated six months later.