Matt Hancock won't be taking UN job

A technicality means he can't take the position.

Matt Hancock MP
Author: Sharon PlummerPublished 17th Oct 2021

West Suffolk MP, Matt Hancock will no longer be taking a job at the United Nations.

The former health secretary was meant to take up an unpaid post in the UN Economic Commission for Africa, where he would have been assisting countries on the continent to recover from the pandemic.

However, a technicality means he can't do it.

In a statement, Mr Hancock said:

“I was honoured to be approached by the UN and appointed as Special Representative to the Economic Commission for Africa, to help drive forward an agenda of strengthening markets and bringing investment to Africa.

“The UN have written to me to explain that a technical UN rule has subsequently come to light which states that sitting Members of Parliament cannot also be UN Special Representatives. Since I am committed to continuing to serve as MP for West Suffolk, this means I cannot take up the position.

“I look forward to supporting the UN ECA in their mission in whatever way I can in my Parliamentary role.”

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