‘Dave will be happy to be rid of me – I’m a thorn in his side’ says jungle MP

Suspended Tory MP Nadine Dorries believes Prime Minister David Cameron will be “relieved” to see the back of her after she flew to Australia to take part in I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here and admitted: “I am a thorn in his side.”

She flew out this week without telling her colleagues she was to be a contestant on the ITV1 show for up to a month.

And Dorries has justified her absence by saying it will help voters see a new side to politicians – and unlike some colleagues, she has never previously taken a week away during parliamentary time.

ITV finally confirmed she was in the line-up yesterday, more than a day after it had been the talk of Westminster.

Conservative chief whip Sir George Young took the decision on Tuesday to suspend the whip from Ms Dorries because of concerns she will not be doing parliamentary and constituency work while she is making the show. Contestants are cut off from all communication with the outside world, and her 
departure prompted a hail of criticism from fellow Tory MPs for signing up for the show, which returns to TV on Sunday.

As she prepared to take part in I’m a Celebrity, she confessed she had not seen it.

“I haven’t even had time to watch the show. And so I definitely don’t have a game plan. I just want to be myself,” Ms Dorries said.

Comic Brian Conley is favourite to win this year’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here, ahead of soap stars such as Helen Flanagan and Charlie Brooks.

Also taking part are boxer David Haye, former Doctor Who Colin Baker, Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor, Birds Of A Feather’s Linda Robson, ex-Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and one-time darts champ Eric Bristow.