A ROW has blown up over comments by a York MP about the impact on Covid rates of the reopening of hospitality in the city.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell tweeted that she had asked the Health Secretary how he would ensure that, with people now visiting York, it would not 'see a surge in infections of the new variant (and who knows - further new mutations) spread through the hospitality sector to local people.'

Business leader Phil Pinder claimed the tweet implied 'we are to blame - which after personally creating 10 new jobs and investing over £100k in our City since Covid does make you wonder.'

She replied: "Not at all, I asked the SoS Health because we have a lot of people visiting and with the high transmissibility of the Indian variant, we are more exposed to risk."

Now Cllr Andrew Waller, Lib Dem executive member for economy at City of York Council, has claimed: "On what was a day of celebration in York’s hospitality sector as it fully reopened, York Central’s MP caused some anger claiming that the hospitality reopening will see an increase of cases of the virus in the city.

“Local hospitality businesses have worked incredibly hard to make their facilities safe for staff and customers alike and have been of significant help in our local fight against the virus.

“Last winter’s spike in cases are believed to mostly have related to household contacts. Whilst we must remain extremely vigilant and responsible as restrictions are eased, local businesses need our support now more than ever."