Local politicians and residents have criticised Reading West MP Alok Sharma’s school trip eight days after visiting red-listed Bangladesh, as revealed by the Chronicle yesterday.

Mr Sharma, who is also President of COP26, returned from a work trip to Bangladesh on June 3 and visited St Michael’s Primary School in Dee Road, Tilehurst on June 11.

Labour councillor Rachel Eden, who stood against Mr Sharma in the 2019 general election, called the visit “unnecessary” and lacking in “common sense”.

READ MORE: Reading MP defends school visit after trip to red-listed Bangladesh

The COP26 President had visited Bangladesh on June 2-3 to discuss climate issues ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, the largest environmental summit in the world.

Normally, after visiting a red list country you must quarantine for ten days in a hotel, at a cost of £1,750 and can only leave once you have received two negative test results, taken on day two and eight.

But ministers conducting essential travel and work as Crown Servants are exempted from quarantine. These exemptions cover both red list and amber list countries.

Cllr Eden, responding to the story on Twitter, said: “Mr Sharma should waited before visiting a primary school after returning from a red list country. Special rules for government ministers shouldn’t mean a lack of common sense and taking unnecessary risks.

“I know St Michael’s Primary school well and can testify to the #Covid_19 precautions they take. Mr Sharma should have disclosed to them how recently he had returned from Bangladesh. They could then have made an informed judgement about whether to delay his visit.”

Former Wokingham councillor Andy Croy, another Labour campaigner, added: “This is sickening.

“I had residents who had to pay for 10 days in a hotel to protect our community. But not this Tory MP. One rule for them.”

Reading Chronicle: PICTURED: St Michael's Primary SchoolPICTURED: St Michael's Primary School

Mr Sharma also received criticism from residents, with Jenna Grabey tweeting that he “should be ashamed” and Dave Fostekew saying he “should have known better”.

Mr Fostekew added: "I hope the Chesham and Amersham by-election is a wake-up call”.

Former Conservative MP Peter Fleet lost to new Lib Dem MP Sarah Green today in the Chesham and Amersham by-election, the first time the seat has not been blue since it was created in 1974.

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However, Casey Byrne, a Conservative Party member in Reading, backed Mr Sharma.

Responding to Mr Sharma’s comments, he said: “It’s not against the rules, this really isn’t the thing to point score on and not the issue that people care about.

“If I’m not mistaken he’s had his vaccine as well, he also followed stringent protocols additionally.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Helping the world tackle the climate emergency is an international priority for the Government.

“Virtual meetings play a large part, however face to face meetings are key to success in the climate negotiations the UK is leading as hosts of COP26 and are crucial to understanding and seeing first-hand the opportunities and challenges other countries are facing in the fight against climate change.”

Government travel is arranged in line with official Covid-19 guidance and measures are put in place to ensure social distancing, wearing of facemasks and sanitising is followed strictly on all parts of trips.

Covid-19 tests are taken frequently by Mr Sharma and all members of the COP26 delegation and the Reading West MP took a tests on June 10 and 14.

A spokesman for St Michael’s said: “While the school was not aware of Mr Sharma’s trip eight days before visiting St Michael’s, we are aware of the strict COVID guidance he must follow while on official business. Mr Sharma tested negative for COVID-19 the day before coming to the school and has tested negative since.

“The school has its own rigorous COVID prevention measures in place and, on arrival, Mr Sharma signed a declaration to say he had not been in contact with anyone with COVID symptoms and was not suffering any symptoms himself. He wore a mask throughout his visit and remained outside. Therefore, there is no cause for concern for parents.”