Matt Hancock has had a job offer from the United Nations withdrawn days after it was announced.
The former Health Secretary was poised to be appointed as the UN special representative on financial innovation and climate change for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - and had proudly posted on social media about his new job earlier this week.
However, a UN spokesperson has now said Hancock's role will not be taken forward.
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Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric told LADbible: "Mr Hancock's appointment by the UN Economic Commission for Africa is not being taken forward.
"ECA has advised him of this matter."
Hancock has since explained the offer has been withdrawn over a technicality, as a special representative of the United Nations cannot also be a sitting MP.
He said in a statement: "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.
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"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."
On 12 October, Hancock tweeted: "Honoured to be appointed United Nations Special Representative.
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"I'll be working with the @UN @ECA_OFFICIAL to help African economic recovery from the pandemic and promote sustainable development."
Hancock resigned from his role as Health Secretary back in June after footage of him kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo while social distancing measures were in place was published. The pair were both married to other people at the time.
Announcing his resignation, Hancock said: "I've been to see the Prime Minister to resign as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
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"I understand the enormous sacrifices that everybody in this country has made - that you have made.
"And those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them, and that's why I have got to resign.
"I want to thank people for their incredible sacrifices and what they've done. Everybody working in the NHS, across social care, everyone involved in the vaccine programme, and frankly everybody in this country, who has risen to the challenges that we've seen over the past 18 months."
But earlier this week, it appeared he'd bounced back from the scandal, announcing his new unpaid role within the UN.
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The UN under secretary general, Vera Songwe, wrote in a letter that Hancock's vaccine success would make him the ideal bloke for the role.
In a letter, which Hancock posted on Twitter, Songwe said: "The acceleration of vaccines that has led the UK move faster towards economic recovery is one testament to the strengths that you will bring to this role, together with your fiscal and monetary experience.
"The role will support Africa's cause at the global level and ensure the continent builds forward better, leveraging financial innovations and working with major stakeholders like the G20, UK government and Cop26."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: UK News, UK politics, Matt Hancock