KEZIA Dudgale has said appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is “an amazing opportunity” to talk to young people across the UK about politics and her Labour values.
The former Labour leader said she is donating her £2,500 MSP salary while she is away to the Rock Trust, which supports young people affected by homelessness in Scotland.
And she added that a “portion” of her appearance fee will also be donated to charity on her return – but said the full amount she is being paid “contractually cannot be disclosed at this stage”.
In a video, she said: “I appreciate that to quite a few of my constituents, this is quite a controversial move.
“I know there will be people that are upset about it, who will question my priorities. So I wanted to take a little minute to explain why I’m doing this and hope that I can get your support for the adventures ahead.
“First and foremost, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here is a huge UK-wide television programme, with an audience into the millions.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity to talk to young people who watch this programme about politics, and - in particular - Labour values.
“The first time I was approached to do this programme, I said no. I turned it down because I didn’t think I could be away from my job for over five weeks. The show came back to me and asked me if I would do it if I could go away for just three weeks and two days, and that’s what I’m going to do.
“So the minute that I leave Australia I’ll be coming back to the Scottish Parliament to do my job as Labour MSP for Edinburgh and the Lothians, and I’m committed to doing that for the long-term and I hope to stand at the next election again as well.”
Scottish Labour MSPs yesterday decided Ms Dugdale would not face immediate suspension for jetting off to Australia to appear on the show – but left open the possibility action could be taken on her return.
Her decision to enter the jungle has caused controversy among her colleagues, with fellow MSP Neil Findlay condemned the move as “utterly ludicrous”.
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