A TORY MP from Cumbria has described the Government's plans to demand proof of vaccination from clubbers as "a ruse."

Mark Jenkinson, who represents Workington, said he would not support the Government in its proposals, which were outlined by the Prime Minister on Monday.

Revellers in some parts of the UK - including in Whitehaven - returned to the dance floor as early as 12.01am on Monday - but just hours later the Government delivered some unexpected news.

Speaking from self-isolation on so-called "freedom day", Mr Johnson warned venues with large crowds that they must make full vaccination a requirement of entry from the end of September.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said during the Downing Street press conference clubs had the potential to cause "super spreading events".

Mr Johnson declined to rule out extending vaccination passports to pubs as he attended the briefing virtually from his country residence of Chequers.

Mr Johnson, despite having previously billed his lockdown-easing plan as "irreversible", now said: "I don't want to have to close nightclubs again as they have elsewhere" as he urged them to use the NHS Covid Pass for entry.

"I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather," he said.

"Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient."

Mr Jenkinson previously rebelled against the Government's plans to bring in mandatory vaccination for care staff, calling it a "slippery slope."

He said: "It's nothing something that I will support - but I don't think it will happen, I think that's worth saying.

"I think it's a ruse to increase vaccine uptake among younger people.

"It's just such an arbitrary decision on who is impacted and who isn't. Are pubs included? What's the difference between some pubs, some bars, and some nightclubs?

"We will see how it transpires."

Mr Johnson's announcement came around 17 hours after the start of so-called 'Freedom Day' and have been widely condemned by those in the industry.

Downing Street has not ruled out extending the mandatory use of vaccine passports to pubs.

Number 10 has also suggested that full vaccination will still be mandatory for nightclub entry this autumn, regardless of whether uptake among young adults is significantly increased by that point.