A city councillor broke the Leicester lockdown rules when members of her family came into her garden for a barbecue to celebrate Eid.
Councillor Ruma Ali has apologised for the gathering, which took place after the Government ordered that people in Leicester should not mix with others from different households at home or in private gardens to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Coun Ali, who represents the Humberstone and Hamilton ward on the Labour-run council, said she had not understood the rules, which the Government had changed just a few days before her barbecue on Sunday, August 3.
The Labour politician is now facing calls to resign as a councillor.
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She told LeicestershireLive that 10 adults and a number of children had been present at the barbecue, of which she posted images on Facebook.
The guests included two sisters and her parents.
As a single mother Coun Ali would have been permitted to have adults from one other household at the barbecue if she had formed a bubble with them.
However, because adults from four different addresses were present, the rules were broken.
In a written statement, Coun Ali said: “I had a family BBQ in my large garden with my immediate family who all live within close proximity to me.
“I did not think I was breaking any lockdown rules, because I am a single parent and my family are my bubble.
“I thought we could meet at the park and open spaces (garden).
“This was a misunderstanding due to the lockdown rules continuously changing.
“It has been very complicated and confusing what you can and can’t do.
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies and I will be more careful in future.”
The councillor told LeicestershireLive that none of the family members present had contracted the virus.
The breach of the rules followed Leicester City Council and Muslim community leaders urging people to observe Eid al Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, at home and not to gather at mosques or at each others homes.
They said the restrictions, though tough, were intended to protect families and loved ones from the virus.
In response to the breach, the deputy chairman of Leicester Conservatives said: “It is unsurprising that Coun Ali broke the clear government Covid restrictions when the mayor of the city broke the full lockdown rules earlier in the year to visit his partner.
“I share the anger of the numerous people I have spoken to who wanted to celebrate Eid over the weekend but acted in good faith and stayed away from friends and family.
“Cour Ali has let down our entire city and should consider her position as a councillor.”
Coun Ali’s apology also follows a plea by the council’s director of public health, Professor Ivan Browne, for people to stick to the rules after data showed the virus was still spreading between and among households in the city.
