SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies was among 12 Conservative MPs who defied the Prime Minister last night in voting against the Rule of Six statutory framework.

The dozen Tories are rebelling against the Coronavirus restrictions the Government is aiming to put in place to try and restrict the spread of the virus and a second wave of infections.

Minister for Care Helen Whately presented the regulation amendments in the House of Commons last night, "that people may not participate in social gatherings in groups of more than six unless they are members of the same household or support bubble, or exemptions apply.

"The regulations were made under the emergency procedure in order to respond quickly to the serious and imminent threat to public health posed by coronavirus."

During the debate, which began at just before 5pm, many MPs spoke to either support or criticise the Rule of Six, however Mr Davies was not called upon during the debate.

In the vote that followed, 17 MPs voted against the changes, including 12 Conservative rebels.

These included Mr Davies, as well as his wife Esther McVey, and other Conservatives including Peter Bone, Sir Desmond Swayne and William Wragg.

Ms McVey said: "As the debate on the floor of the House revealed there isn’t a reason for the Rule of 6 - it could just as easily be the Rule of 7, 8 or 9.

"For that reason I voted against it. We can’t curb people’s freedoms and families abilities to meet without any justification to do so."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore voted in favour of making the Rule of Six legally binding, as well as Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew and the Calder Valley's Craig Whittaker. Labour MPs abstained from the division, which passed by 270 votes.