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Officials from European football's governing body Uefa last night enjoyed a lavish party in London – despite assurances from Cabinet Ministers that they would be allowed to leave their hotels only to attend tonight's final.
Scores of VIPs who were granted special permission to enter the UK without having to quarantine attended a dinner at Old Billingsgate Market in the City of London.
News of the party will dismay those angry at the Government for buckling to pressure from Uefa to let 2,500 officials into England before coronavirus restrictions are lifted on July 19.
Ministers were reportedly warned by Uefa chiefs that the final would be moved to the Hungarian capital Budapest if they refused.
Culture Minister John Whittingdale assured Sky News: 'They're not just able to come in and travel around Britain. They come in to attend a match and go away again.'
Officials from European football's governing body Uefa last night enjoyed a lavish party in London. Pictured: Uefa vice president Zbigniew Boniek
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Uefa officials will 'only be able to come here to go to the football'.
The Mail on Sunday watched last night as guests arrived for the function where, according to one source, they could be photographed with the