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Jeremy Corbyn issues grovelling apology after flouting coronavirus 'rule of 6' at dinner party for nine
EX-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tonight apologised for breaching the “rule of six”.
The former Labour leader, 71, was photographed looking grumpy at the posh nine-strong bash.
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Corbyn, his wife Laura Alvarez, 51, and fellow guests at the do in London last Saturday now face fines totalling up to £1,800.
The socialist, whose election slogan as Leader of the Opposition was “for the many, not the few”, tonight apologised.
He told The Sun: “I recently had dinner at a friend’s house where the number of guests eventually exceeded five.
"I understand that remaining at the dinner was a breach of the rule of six. I apologise for my mistake.”
Corbyn, MP for Islington North, showed that Boris Johnson is not the only politician seemingly confused by the new Covid rules.
The strict “rule of six” measure was brought in on September 14 to curb a deadly second Covid wave.
'HE SHOULD KNOW THE RULES'
It bans gatherings of more than six indoors or outdoors unless they already live together, with potential fines of £200 each for first-time offenders.
The Sun understands the rule-breaching party was held at a home belonging to one of Corbyn’s long-term pals.
Guests included left-wing activists, filmmakers and artists – many in thrall to Corbyn’s political philosophy.
During the evening, one left the table and took a photograph of the remaining eight.
It prompted a grumpy reaction from checked-shirt wearing Corbyn, who was sitting two seats away from his wife.
A source said: “It’s clear that Jeremy realised immediately the danger the photo had put him in.
“His face says it all. He knew he shouldn’t have been present and he, of all people, should know the rules.
"But it seems that when it comes to social distancing, some are more equal than others.”
The dinner party was held on the same day his older brother Piers, 73, led an anti-mask and social distancing rally in Trafalgar Square.
It seems that when it comes to social distancing, some are more equal than others.
He told crowds: “There is no justification in any terms for the lockdowns and the Covid rules. They are a complete hoax.”
Piers had already been charged for allegedly planning a protest of more than 30 people in Sheffield which left four cops injured.
He had also been fined £10,000 in London just days earlier for arranging another rally.
The activist has been bailed to appear before magistrates in November.
The Corbyn dinner party breach was criticised by fellow MPs whose constituencies have been hit by tough local lockdowns.
'CHAMPAGNE SOCIALISTS'
David Morris, Tory MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: “This is really disappointing.
“Millions of Brits are quietly sticking to the rules to defeat this horrific virus while Jeremy Corbyn is swanning around at a posh dinner party.
“People have had to delay weddings, been stopped from going to funerals, and friends and families have been torn apart by these tough restrictions.
“It is beyond belief that an MP – and someone who claims to stand up for the common man – has behaved this way.”
Fellow Tory Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, added: “The champagne socialists of the London-centric Labour Party consider themselves above the rules that the rest of us must live by.
It’s beyond parody that Comrade Corbyn was breaking the rules at a dinner party.”
Laws on social distancing tightened significantly last month after a surge in coronavirus infections.
Home Secretary Priti Patel declared at the time: “Across the country, we have all made enormous sacrifices in the fight against coronavirus.
However, the recent rise in cases makes it clear that more needs to be done to stop the spread of this disease.”
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