Patel accuses Tory MP of Covid rule breach at Christmas party for 27
“There are fixed penalty notices. I don’t know the details as to where this happened or the location, but I’m sure, as it is a breach, that will be followed up.”
11:00, 17 DEC 2020
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Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen
Priti Patel said a Conservative MP who allegedly attended a Christmas dinner with 27 guests was an egregious breach of Covid guidelines.
Tobias Ellwood gave a speech for an event at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly, London on Tuesday.
When asked by ITV News whether Mr Ellwood s actions were an egregious breach of the rules, the Home Secretary said: Of course, it is exactly that. Having dinner outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations.
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Asked whether Mr Ellwood should face face a fine, Ms Patel said: There are fixed penalty notices.
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood
BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood has issued a response over his attendance at a gathering of 27 people in London following criticism from the Home Secretary. Mr Ellwood, who chairs the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, attended the Iraq British Business Council event in Piccadilly on Tuesday. The business council’s website listed the event as a ‘Christmas Party’, however the Conservative former defence minister said it was a “business reception/dinner” which was Covid compliant. When asked by ITV News if Mr Ellwood’s actions were a “egregious breach” of the coronavirus rules, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Well, it is. Of course it is exactly that.
HOME Secretary Priti Patel has accused a Tory MP of breaching coronavirus rules by attending a Christmas dinner for 27 guests. Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, apologised on Thursday after it emerged he gave a speech at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly hours before London entered Tier 3. The Bournemouth East MP argued the Iraq Britain Business Council event, described on the organisers’ website as a “Christmas party”, was “fully Covid compliant” and he said he attended for business purposes as permitted under Tier 2 rules. But, in comments backed by Downing Street, his Conservative colleague Ms Patel suggested he could face a fine for his attendance at Tuesday’s event.
A Conservative MP has apologised after attending a Christmas party for 27 guests, but insisted the event was fully COVID compliant .
It has emerged that Tobias Ellwood gave a speech at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly hours before London entered Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.
The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee said he went to the Iraq Britain Business Council event, which was described on the organisers website as a Christmas party , for business purposes as permitted under Tier 2 rules.
Apols re my well intentioned attendance at an Iraqi/British Business event.
It was fully Covid compliant & helpful to learn more about where Iraq’s heading as UK troops are still there.