Copeland's elected mayor has hit back at social media speculation he had broken Covid-19 social distancing rules, branding the assertions he had done so as "irresponsible false accusations".

A photograph was widely circulated on social media on Friday, with the original uploader claiming that it depicted the Conservative elected mayor sitting with seven others, breaking the current rules on household gatherings.

Following a flurry of anger expressed on social media, the venue in which the picture was taken, Whitehaven's The Harbour Master Coffee House and Bar, responded with a statement on Saturday morning.

"We were not going to react to this but thought it best to clarify," a spokesman for the harbourside coffee house and bar wrote.

"There is a picture circulating implying we allowed a party of eight people. Anyone that knows us as a business or personally would know we would not allow this.

"The table in question was in fact two completely different parties that entered the premises separately, nearly an hour apart.

"This image shows what looks to be two tables together and because of the angle it looks closer than it is.

"We strive everyday to ensure our guests safety, and that is our number one priority through these uncertain times."

The statement, uploaded to the venue's Facebook page, was accompanied by a picture of the two tables to more clearly illustrate the distance between them.

Later that day, Mr Starkie himself addressed the speculation, stressing that the accusation he had broken any Covid-19 restrictions was entirely untrue.

"I had a pre-arranged meet-up with four friends," Mr Starkie explained. "We sat at the same table for the duration of our stay as directed.

"No third party ever joined us at the table and Covid rules were followed by myself, my friends and the establishment for the entire time. A separate party did occupy the adjacent, distanced table.

"Coincidentally – although not untypical in a town the size of Whitehaven - I knew members of that party and we exchanged pleasantries, but at no time did our groups merge, no furniture was moved, and I believe the other group was still in situ when I left."

Mr Starkie added that he and his four friends "adhered to all the Covid rules", and that he will continue to support the "local hospitality industry" for "as long as it remains within the rules".

He also thanked The Harbour Master for keeping him and others "safe, whilst continuing to trade in these most challenging of times".

Mr Starkie said that consideration should be given to the "potential damage" that could be done to local businesses when "jumping to irresponsible false accusations".

"This pandemic is beyond politics at any level," he said. "It saddens me that that I, a local business and the pandemic have been used in this way. Therefore I will not engage further on these irresponsible and untrue accusations."