ISLAND MP Bob Seely has admitted he "called it wrong" after attending a social gathering in Seaview during lockdown.

He told the County Press he met Freddy Gray, the editor of Spectator USA and deputy editor of The Spectator, in the garden of a house in the village and there were other people present, one of whom was prominent political journalist Isabel Oakeshott, whose relative is Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay.

Mr Seely admitted having food at the gathering, which he said was not a party, and took place a couple of weeks ago.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr Seely said: “As the Island’s MP, I have had a lot of dialogue with local residents over recent weeks.

"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 over-reacting.

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

"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.

"I will continue to make myself available in person where it is considered safe and responsible to do so.

"I am aware that this had been a stressful and trying time for many people. I am glad that restrictions have been cautiously eased and we are moving on to a new form of normal."