Politics

Tory MP Bob Seely apologises after attending barbecue with journalists during lockdown



A Tory MP has apologised and admitted he “called it wrong” after reportedly attending a barbecue with political journalists and the chairman of the Brexit Party during lockdown.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely attended a gathering hosted by the Spectator magazine’s deputy editor, Freddy Gray, in the village of Seaview, the Guardian reports.

The paper said Richard Tice, the Brexit party chairman, and the political journalist Isabel Oakeshott, were also there.


Mr Seely said he was with his girlfriend and he did not go inside the building or have a drink during the gathering, according to a statement issued to the Isle of Wight County Press.

The MP added he was unaware there would be other people in the garden when he arrived for the meeting, and kept a “sensible distance” at all times.

At the time, on May 22, the lockdown rules banned non-essential travel, and people were not allowed to mix with other households.

“As the island’s MP, I have had a lot of dialogue with local residents over recent weeks,” Mr Seely’s statement said.

“The vast majority of these have been over the phone or the internet. A handful of these – when requested – have been in person, at a two-metre distance and outside.

“I was in Seaview two weeks ago undertaking constituency work. Whilst there, I agreed to visit someone who wanted to discuss the app. He is a journalist and an acquaintance. When I arrived, I saw another couple of people there, which I was not expecting. I thought about leaving, but felt that was perhaps overreacting.

“I apologise because, on balance, I called this wrong. It would have been better to have spoken to this person without any others nearby.”

He added: “At a sensible distance, we talked in the garden. The others left 15 minutes later, and I stayed to talk with this person (Gray) for a further 20 minutes or so. I then left.

“I didn’t go inside any building, nor did I have a drink. As it was after normal working hours, my girlfriend was with me.

“In the interests of being transparent, I am happy to confirm that, as the island’s MP, I have had a very small number of other such face-to-face conversations – again at a social distance – over recent weeks with other people on the Isle of Wight (such as council, media and public health representatives) when requested.”

Mr Gray told the Guardian that Mr Seely was invited over to discuss the track and trace app, and did not tell him “it would be a massive rave in the garden”.

Political journalist Isabel Oakeshott was also at the gathering (Photo by Simon James/GC Images) (GC Images)

“You’ve busted me,” he said. “I did invite Bob over to discuss the app – since we had had a falling out over the article I had written.

“I did not, however, tell him that it would be a massive rave in the garden involving children flagrantly eating barbecue food, champagne and a baby being flung around.

“Bob didn’t stay long. I apologised for having caused him distress with my app article and he said no hard feelings.

“We talked about a follow-up piece on how the app was performing, as I moved on to white wine. Bob didn’t drink – though I believe he may have eaten one or possibly two sausages.”

Richard Tice said he followed Government advice to test his eyesight when appropriate (Reuters)

Mr Tice and Ms Oakeshott mentioned testing their eyesight when approached for comment by the Guardian, in an apparent reference to Dominic Cummings’ reason for driving to Barnard Castle in Durham during the lockdown.

“I have followed the prime minister’s advice to wash my hands, stay alert, maintain social distancing and test my eyesight when appropriate,” Mr Tice told the newspaper.

Ms Oakeshott said: “I work on the Isle of Wight all year round. It is where I go to write. I have stayed alert, washed my hands regularly and, as always, enjoyed my time on this paradise isle.

“Now and again I’ve also tested my eyesight, which seems to be in good order. Along with the rest of the nation, I am delighted at the recent decriminalisation of barbecues.”

The news comes after police were reportedly forced to break up a birthday party at a Conservative MP’s house during the lockdown.

Two visitors were asked to leave the house of Rob Roberts, MP for Delyn in north Wales, and balloons and banners were seen outside, according to The Mirror.

Superintendent Mark Pierce, from North Wales Police, told the newspaper that officers were called to his address on May 25.

A spokesman for Mr Roberts said: “Rob Roberts was not present at the time. His family have been reminded of the guidelines set out by the Government.”



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