Duncan Bannatyne has defended his decision to leave rainy Portugal days before the country went into lockdown for a sunny break in St Barts with his wife.
Dragons’ Den star lives full-time in Portugal and spent most of last year holed up in his £5 million villa in the country.
Covid-19 restrictions there have been tightened this month with the country going back into lockdown.
Duncan, 71, and his wife Nigora, 40, decided not to stay and jetted abroad for a sunny holiday shortly before the new restrictions came into force.
They are now relaxing on the Caribbean island of St Barts, but Duncan has been coming under fire on social media from followers who accused him of breaking the rules.
Duncan has since defended his trip and insisted he didn’t break any rules by flying to St Barts.
After one followers tweeted: “Brits should not travel aboard,” he replied: “Actually British Government advice to Brits living in Britain is that they should not travel abroad FROM the UK.
“British Government has not (and would not) give advice to Brits that don’t live in Britain & are not travelling from or to Britain or through Britain. Got it?”
Another wrote: “Travelling during a pandemic but your gyms are closed must be important…”
The telly star then hit back, writing: “No. There are no restrictions where I live or where I landed.
“Other than getting a negative test and wearing masks. Travelling to or from UK would be different.”
The follower then responded: “Ohh yeah forgot different rules apply for the rich you jet off before lockdown restrictions apply…
“Silly me you dictate to us when your sitting on a sun lounger on a sun kissed island somewhere your hypocrisy stinks.”
Duncan then explained: “No mate. Different rules in different countries. Other countries, including the one I live in allow flight if you have a negative test.
“Where u landed there has been 1 death and we get tested every 7 days.”
Despite the row, Duncan has been sharing pictures of his holiday including one that showed him and Nigora after a hike in the sunshine.
He captioned it: “Hiking around St Barths. Amazing views. Stay safe everyone.”
One of his followers asked whether he was planning to return to Portugal, writing: “Can you get back to portugal from there without restrictions.. weather back here has got better again..”
The star then insisted he’s in no rush to get back, writing: “I have no idea. Not in a hurry to leave here now.”
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