Downing Street has criticised a senior Tory MP for speaking at a Christmas dinner for 27 guests. Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood has apologised for his "well-intentioned attendance" of an event hosted by the Iraq Britain Business Council in London on Tuesday, hours before the capital entered Tier 3.
He insisted it was a "business reception/dinner" where he "gleaned extremely useful intelligence" about the issues on the ground in the Middle East - but admitted his attendance "may have muddled the Government's clear message as we head towards Christmas".
The event, held at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Picadilly, was described by the IBBC on its website as a “Christmas party” and later a “business dinner”.