Priti Patel accuses Tory MP of breaching Covid rules by attending ‘Christmas Party’ for 27 people

A leading Conservative MP has insisted he did not break Covid rules aimed at limiting large gatherings when he attended a dinner for 27 guests at a private club in London – but home secretary Priti Patel has disagreed. 

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons’ Defence Select Committee, gave a speech at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) event at the Cavalry and Guards Club on Tuesday.  

Although the dinner was listed as a “Christmas Party” on the IBBC’s own website, the MP for Bournemouth East has insisted it was a business meeting – and thus permitted under government rules.

However, Ms Patel has accused him of breaching restrictions by attending the event, said the matter would be “followed up”, and suggested her Conservative colleague could even face a fine.

Mr Ellwood told the Daily Mail – which first revealed his attendance at the private dinner – that he would not have gone to a festive celebration. “I would not be attending a Christmas party, it was a business meeting,” he said. “I went there to meet business people and that is what it was.”

The MP added: “The club went to extreme lengths so that as a business function it was absolutely Covid-compliant. There was a proper formal address and then I was introduced to business people. It was a proper business function.”

In a statement posted later on Twitter Mr Ellwood did use the term “apols”, but suggested that it was media “coverage” which may have undermined government rules and guidance.

“I appreciate, given the current challenges, some will question the wisdom of my attendance. I’m sorry that coverage of my well-intended attendance may have muddied the government’s clear message as we head towards Christmas.”

The listing on the IBBC website showing a “Christmas Party” at The Cavalry and Guards Club, London on 15 December was still visible on Thursday morning. Ms Patel said it appeared to be a breach of the rules and suggested the matter would be “followed up”.

Asked by ITV News whether Mr Ellwood’s actions were an egregious breach of the rules, she 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.”

The home secretary added: “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.”

The government’s guidance for tier 2 areas – the event took place before London was moved into tier 3 restrictions – says “gatherings for work purposes are only allowed where they are reasonably necessary”.  It adds: “Business events are permitted, but capacity should be restricted.”

According to website, the event was co-hosted by the council’s president Baroness Nicholson, Boris Johnson’s trade envoy for Iraq.  

In October, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, argued he had not broken any coronavirus rules by holding a business meeting in a central London branch of a pizza chain. A Treasury spokesperson said the Franco Manca outlet “was not a functioning restaurant at the time” and was a “Covid-secure” environment.

The Independent has contacted Mr Ellwood and the IBBC for more details on the nature of the private dinner. A spokesperson for The Cavalry and Guards Club said: “We do not comment on any private parties held here at the club.”