MARKS & Spencer chairman and former Tory MP Archie Norman has denied rumours that he travelled to rural Argyll with his family while the country is in lockdown.
The former MP for Tunbridge Wells took to Twitter to dismiss claims that he had flouted lockdown rules and travelled to his second home in Lismore – but confirmed that his 35-year-old daughter was independently on the island.
It was earlier suggested online that the M&S boss had travelled to the island from London with his family.
But Norman took to Twitter to confirm that this wasn't the case and that he was still in London due to the lockdown, telling one user: "I am sadly not able to travel to Lismore for obvious reasons and would not contemplate doing so during the lockdown. I am very busy supporting our business and all the colleagues who are working so hard for us".
READ MORE: CalMac prevents 66 tourists boarding its ferries in past two weeks
In response to another tweet, the former ITV chairman said: "This is just not true. I understand your concern but please be aware I am hundreds of miles away supporting our business where a lot of colleagues are working incredibly hard in difficult circumstances."
A spokeswoman for M&S told The Oban Times: “Mr Norman has not travelled there and is fully aware of the restrictions and has no plans to go there.
“His daughter is there but she is self-isolating on medical advice and had permission to travel. She had all the necessary paperwork to show on the ferry. No other members of the family are there.”
It comes as CalMac revealed that 66 “non-essential” travellers had been turned away in the last two weeks.
READ MORE: Highland holiday home owners defying coronavirus lockdown rules
The ferry operator has been running a “lifeline” timetable for those who live on the islands, who have an essential need to travel to or from the mainland, and for essential supplies or business.
However, the company has no power to check if passengers are legitimately making essential travel.
A spokesman for CalMac told The National: “People should not be travelling to second homes and we would not permit someone to board for this reason. However, we need to take people on trust when they tell us their reason for travel.”
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