A pubs boss has demanded Matt Hancock apologises for 'blaming' the hospitality sector on the recent surge in coronavirus cases.
With Britain facing a possible second wave of the potentially deadly disease, all bars, pubs and restaurants in England must now close by 10pm.
Oakman Inns CEO Peter Borg-Neal said his industry "sweated blood to get ready to re-open our businesses" in July, with the Health Secretary's comments "totally untrue".
Speaking on Thursday's Question Time, the businessman, who has worked in the pub trade since he was 16, said after pub's re-opened on July 4, there was "no significant change in the number of transmissions" for over two months.
"Then, at the beginning of September there's a big change.
"How on earth can that be blamed on the hospitality industry? We're very angry," he continued.
Mr Borg-Neal was referring to an interview Mr Hancock gave last Friday on BBC Radio Four's Today programme.
He claimed the "vast majority of transmissions happen in social settings, whether that's in hospitality or people's own homes".
However, Public Health England figures from that same week show of the 729 new confirmed cases just 34 were officially linked to the industry.
Mr Borg-Neal added the industry would "never put profits before public safety".
He said: "We want a retraction and an apology and if we don't get one this issue will not go away. People are really hurt and upset."
Viewers' responses to the entrepreneur's comments were mixed.
Twitter user Reay Honour said he is "another businessman denying it's his businesses' fault. It's the schools, it's offices, it's the old folks' home.
"Ridiculous argument made purely out of greed and not need."
While Labour's David Whitaker tweeted: "I have to say Peter is talking a lot of common sense.
"Proves the Government and their scientists have not a clue about the economy and the impact of their measures."
Also on the programme, professor and chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, Devi Sridhar warned: "Unless you solve your public health problem you’re not going to solve your economic problems."
She said the UK should look at countries like Taiwan and South Korea, that controlled the virus and had "minimal" economic impact.
Yesterday, would-be late-night drinkers in England faced the first evening of new measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
From Thursday, all pubs, bars and restaurants had to shut by 10pm - meaning time at the bar will be somewhere around 9pm.
Many people were not put off a midweek tipple or two by the new restrictions on Thursday.
Along with the 10pm closing times, all hospitality venues must now be table service only to try to help contain the spread of Covid-19.
The rules for England contrast with those in Wales, where pub-goers will be given an extra 20 minutes to finish their drinks after last orders.
From 6pm on Thursday, changes to coronavirus regulations mean Welsh hospitality businesses including pubs, cafes, restaurants, sports clubs and casinos must not supply alcohol between 10pm and 6am the following day.
Licensed premises will only be able to provide table service for customers when consuming food or drink - and following a 20-minute period to allow customers to finish their drinks at 10pm - must close by 10.20pm.
