South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has defended his decision to meet with travel agents in his constituency, but did travel to Felixstowe to see work being carried out in the new Freeport zone.

At least three travel agents in Babergh were angered that Mr Cartlidge did not meet with them in person as previously agreed and felt they had been 'stabbed in the back' by their local MP after he posted on social media about a visit he made to Felixstowe.

Sheila Sparkes, who is a travel consultant with Holidaysplease based in Sudbury, explained how they had asked their MP to support the travel industry and to meet with them in person. The workings of the industry and travel agents don't appear to be understood properly by our own transport minister, so felt it important for him to realise the serious issues we face. A date was arranged for June 25 but when restrictions were not lifted as expected he told them he couldn't meet them in person and arranged a Teams meeting with two days notice.

However, while three did go online, three of the agents could not meet virtually, and asked as the numbers were now lower they could meet in person, but he declined.

"To be told I can't meet you now because of restrictions didn't really wash. The three that did go on Teams told us he was not interested in backing tailored financial support for the industry to see us through to the other side.

"We asked, now there were just three of us why can't you meet us? We could be socially distanced in my colleagues office, which is open to the public and has screens, or even meet outside?, but his office didn't come back.

"Then to see him loud and proud in Felixstowe enjoying his free lunch, it was like he was sticking his two fingers up to us.

"I don't believe our meeting would've been out of guidance, it was just a poor excuse, then posting those pictures saying 'here I am in Felixstowe Port', which is not even in his constituency, is more important than keeping to an appointment that he made with businesses in his area a month prior, that are in crisis and need his understanding and support."

The trio, which also included Diane Buck from Premier Travel, and another independent agent, all questioned his office asking, 'please give us a proper reason' but did not get a satisfactory response.

Mrs Sparkes said: "It clearly says on the government website that you can hold business meetings for up to 30 people, but he is claiming that is only if it is necessary and justifiable, and to me that is his way of saying we are not necessary or important.

"In hindsight it was naive of me to think that my MP actually was interested in our plight, or willing to help."

Restrictions are expected to be lifted on July 19, and MPs start their summer recess on July 22, so it would not give Mr Cartlidge much time to meet Mrs Sparkes and her colleagues, by that time if he does finally meet with them it may be too late for many local travel businesses.

Mrs Sparkes added: "We may not be big tour operators/airlines that he would be keen to meet with I'm sure, but as independent travel agents we are an important cog in the big wheel of the travel industry."

"Although I voted for the Conservatives, I don't really know very much about him, all I know is how he has treated me and my colleagues over the past fortnight and I find it rude and disrespectful and there is no need for it."

In a statement to Nub News Mr Cartlidge said: "I am very concerned about the parlous state of the travel industry generally, and particularly how lockdown is affecting businesses in South Suffolk.

"Throughout the pandemic I have been in contact with a number of travel businesses, and have assisted them with accessing the Government's grant and loan schemes.

"I have also raised their concerns directly with the relevant ministerial teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Transport, and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (who hold the responsibility for tourism).

"As other sectors substantially reopened domestically, I received an increase in correspondence from travel businesses. As such, I initially arranged a virtual meeting over Teams with those who had been in contact. Due to the significant interest from these businesses, and the sensitivity of the matter, I decided that it would be better to rearrange this important meeting so that it was 'in-person' on the earliest possible constituency Friday following the planned final easing of restrictions on 21st June. This was arranged for Friday 25th June.

"However, as soon as lockdown was extended, it was once again the case that meetings indoors should be 6 persons or two households, and whilst there are potential exceptions for work meetings that cannot be held virtually, it's quite clear that this type of meeting could be held online and therefore that as far as the law of the land was concerned it was correct to hold the meeting via the internet. That was not my preference but merely the legal position. I suspect most of my constituents would not want me to flout the Covid-19 regulations that I voted through in Parliament.

"It's worth stressing that throughout the pandemic it's been common for me and all other MPs to hold important meetings via Teams or Zoom, unless there are exceptional reasons not to.

"As such, on 17th June, I met with a number of travel businesses over Teams to discuss their concerns. All of the businesses were invited but unfortunately a number of people were unhappy about the switch to Teams. I explained that in my view it would no longer by lawful, and instead therefore invited them to join on Teams, and I also agreed a further physical meeting after the new scheduled end of lockdown in July.

"Though not the ideal way to meet for any of us, the businesses that did attend the Teams meeting did not appear to find that the medium restricted their ability to make their arguments clearly and passionately to me and we all agreed that the best thing possible was for the travel sector to reopen as soon as it was safe to do so. As a result of the meeting, I agreed immediately to write a letter to the Transport Secretary

Grant Shapps supporting measures rumoured in the national press to allow travel to amber list nations for those able to prove they had received two jabs of the vaccine. I shared the letter on social media and it was covered by the Sun newspaper on 23rd June.

"Thus, far from not meeting local travel businesses, I did meet them on teams – but some chose not to attend – and agreed to meet physically at the earliest opportunity. I also took action in the form of a letter which received national media attention.

"Finally, I understand reference has been made to my visit to Felixstowe port on the day that the face to face travel meeting had been scheduled. For the avoidance of doubt, the Felixstowe meeting took place in the morning and so it was not 'instead' of the travel meeting which would have been in the afternoon, but such was the urgency with which I was understandably being pressed on the travel matter that as soon as we switched to Teams I brought it forward to an earlier date.

"Given that the main purpose of the visit to Felixstowe was to physically see some of the works being undertaken in connection with the Freeport, it was not possible to hold that meeting virtually."