FORMER Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has declined to say how much of her appearance fee from I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! will go to charity.
Reports suggested the Edinburgh MSP was being paid close to six figures for her time on the hit ITV reality show.
When she first flew out to Australia she promised constituents a portion of the money she got from the show would go to charity.
Dugdale was the second person kicked out of the jungle, when she failed to win enough viewer votes on Sunday night.
As part of her deal with programme makers, the politician will have to remain in Australia until the final episode – though she will be put up in the luxury Palazzo Versace Gold Coast rather than spend another night in the camp.
Speaking to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme yesterday, the ex-Labour chief admitted she would have work to do to make up for disappearing for three weeks.
Though she was refused permission to take the time off for the show, Labour have not suspended her. She will be interviewed by party chiefs when she returns to Edinburgh next week.
Dugdale also said she had spoken to Richard Leonard since coming out of the jungle.
“I approached both of the leadership contenders at the time and told them that I planned to go away for three weeks, to go abroad to do something to raise a little bit of money for charity,” she said.
“I couldn’t say more than that because of the nature of the contract.
“I must say, though, that I do understand that it’s controversial, I do understand there are lots of people at home that are unhappy that I’ve taken part in this programme and I’ve got a bit of work to do to make amends.
“But please don’t doubt the fact that I’m devoted to the Labour Party, I love my job and I think I’m better-placed to do it for a long time now having had this experience.”
The former party leader said she will donate a percentage of her appearance fee to charity and is happy to serve new leader Leonard in any role.
Asked how she will make amends to constituents and party members, Dugdale said: “I’d like to do a lot of that, first and foremost, privately so that we can have honest, free and frank conversations.
“I have been in touch with the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party and I’m hoping to have a proper conversation with him soon, before I return to Scotland.
“I want to come back in a way that doesn’t impinge in any way on any plans that he might currently have.”
“I love my job, I’m very happy that Richard is the new leader, I support him in all his endeavours.”
Made in Chelsea star Georgina “Toff” Toffolo is the runaway favourite to be crowned Queen of the Jungle in the show’s grand final this Sunday.
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