[James]

This is his explanation.

To be honest I think some newspapers are trying to keep him away from the Brexit debate as he has been a critic of no-deal.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood broke Covid rules, says home secretary
Published 1 hour ago


A Conservative MP who attended a business dinner was in “breach of the regulations” the home secretary says.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood broke Covid rules by giving a speech at a dinner in London, the home secretary has said.

Mr Ellwood had defended his "well-intentioned attendance" at the event, saying it was "fully Covid compliant".

He said he was sorry coverage of it had "muddled the government's clear message as we head towards Christmas".

But home secretary Priti Patel said he had broken the rules and suggested he could face a fine.

Asked about Mr Ellwood's actions, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "I would point you to the home secretary's words.

"The PM has been clear throughout the pandemic that it's vital for everybody to abide by the rules in order to suppress the virus and therefore protect the NHS and save lives."


The Iraq Britain Business Council reception, on Tuesday, took place a day before London entered tier three.

It was initially described as a "Christmas dinner" on the council's website but its president, Tory peer Baroness Nicholson, later said it was a business event.

'Fixed penalty notices'
Asked by ITV News if Mr Ellwood's attendance was a breach of the rules, Ms Patel said: "Well, it is. Of course it is exactly that.

"Having dinner outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations."

Asked if there should be a punishment, Ms Patel said: "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."

Tobias Ellwood speaking at Tuesday's event
IMAGE COPYRIGHTIRAQ BRITAIN BUSINESS COUNCIL
image captionTobias Ellwood addressing the guests at Tuesday's event
The government's tier two guidance states that "gatherings for work purposes are only allowed where they are reasonably necessary".

Mr Ellwood, who chairs the Commons defence committee, attended the event the day after telling MPs that allowing families to meet over Christmas for five days "could be very dangerous indeed".

He urged Health Secretary Matt Hancock to review the policy "so we don't begin the new year with a third wave".

'Perceptions count'
In a statement, Mr Ellwood said it was a "business reception/dinner" where he "gleaned extremely useful intelligence" about the issues on the ground in the Middle East.

"The event took place at the respected Cavalry and Guards Club under strict Covid compliant conditions," he said.

"For the duration of tier two restrictions function rooms that usually seat over 100 have been converted to hold business events for less than 30.

"I appreciate, given the current challenges, some will question the wisdom of my attendance.

"I am sorry coverage of my well-intentioned attendance may have muddled the government's clear message as we head towards Christmas.

"Whilst the event was fully Covid complaint - perceptions count."

The Daily Mail, which first reported Mr Ellwood's attendance at the event, said it was attended by 27 people.

London moved from tier two to tier three on Wednesday morning.

'Trying to be cheerful'
Mr Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, told the BBC he had not been present for the whole event and that he had contacted the venue in advance to confirm it was Covid secure.

Other guests at the reception included a delegation from the Iraqi Embassy.

One of the original photographs appeared to show some attendees standing in small groups taking part in a drinks reception.

The rules for tier two state that alcohol at venues should be served as part of a substantial meal or with table service.

Baroness Nicholson told the BBC that once she became aware that the event have been described as a "party" she immediately asked for it to be clarified.

She stressed it was an important business function.

Asked why it had initially been labelled as a "Christmas dinner" and "party" on the organisation's website, she said: "I think someone was trying to be cheerful".

In a statement on its website, the IBBC said "working with the venue this event was fully Covid compliant".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55343187

[Ramsay]

Tory gonna tory

[Kizzy]

Got around it by saying it was a 'business' meeting eh... pffft.

Can't spread covid at business meetings/ lunches then? It knows the difference betwhen that and say, a coffee morning?.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Got around it by saying it was a 'business' meeting eh... pffft.

Can't spread covid at business meetings/ lunches then? It knows the difference betwhen that and say, a coffee morning?.

Exactly right there Kizzy.

[Kizzy]

And then people wonder why the public balk at being asked to stay away from their family and friends...
When you see lawmakers breaking rules people are bound to ask ..what's the point?!

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

And then people wonder why the public balk at being asked to stay away from their family and friends...
When you see lawmakers breaking rules people are bound to ask ..what's the point?!

Are you going to start hugging your Mum off the back of it? No you are not

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Are you going to start hugging your Mum off the back of it? No you are not

What fuzzy logic is this?...
I mention that seeing an MP break rules may send a message to some that the rules are bendable at best and worthless at worst, and that means I'm going to hug my mum?
At least atempt some context.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

What fuzzy logic is this?...
I mention that seeing an MP break rules may send a message to some that the rules are bendable at best and worthless at worst, and that means I'm going to hug my mum?
At least atempt some context.

No context? Will you bend the rules and hug your Mum because of others bending the rules ..yes or no?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Cherie

No context? Will you bend the rules and hug your Mum because of others bending the rules ..yes or no?

Again, maintain perspective. .. the issue is meeting in groups. That was the comparison I made, please don't use my post to suggest anyone could or should hug their elderly relatives, I was quite clear how in my opinion, his actions may have influenced others to break rules on meeting others in or out of lock down . Not me, but others.

If you don't agree that's fine

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Cherie

No context? Will you bend the rules and hug your Mum because of others bending the rules ..yes or no?

I think kizzy means other people will likely break the rules due to a terrible example set by MPs , which I think is already happening . Of course some of us will follow guidelines ,but other people will have a selfish attitude .

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

And then people wonder why the public balk at being asked to stay away from their family and friends...
When you see lawmakers breaking rules people are bound to ask ..what's the point?!

+100

exactly, they lose any credibility so any politician who breaks these rules should be sacked since public will no longer believe them if they don't obey the rules themselves

[Withano]

Imagine voting for the Tories and then feeling the need to defend your choice even when presented with information such as this

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Withano

Imagine voting for the Tories and then feeling the need to defend your choice even when presented with information such as this

I have never voted Tory so that doesn’t apply in my case

[Kizzy]

Dear tory... there's 700million in ppe in shipping containers lost in farmers fields, theres a 10 mile long truck centipede and we haven't even left the EU yet, the drug we need to save lives from covid is being made in Belgium how do we get it here? ...

(Tory voters)
Coooorrrbbbyyynnnnn!!!!!