A GROUP of Conservative rebels who voted against the Government's Covid regulations linked to house party fines and Test and Trace data sharing included MPs from Dorset and the New Forest.

South Dorset representative Richard Drax and New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne made up part of the 24-strong backbench rebellion over Boris Johnson's pandemic strategy.

The regulations were approved by 526 votes to 24, majority 502, during a vote on Wednesday.

The measures, which increased house party fines from £200 to £800, came into force last month but required retrospective approval by Parliament.

They were introduced as part of a crackdown on illegal gatherings and those flouting the legal requirement to self-isolate during the pandemic.

The house party penalty applies to groups of more than 15 people and double after each offence, up to a maximum of £6,400 for repeat offenders.

An individual’s £800 fine is cut to £400 if paid within 14 days.

Both Mr Drax and Sir Desmond have been critical of the Government's response to coronavirus, including repeated questions of the implementation of lockdown restrictions.