A COUNCIL leader has denied being snubbed by health secretary Jeremy Hunt – despite admitting he was not invited to a secret reception.

Mr Hunt cancelled a 'drinks and canapes' public event for safety concerns after fearing a backlash from junior doctors.

But just hours later he held a secret event for MPs in Hampshire.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Fareham Borough Council leader Seàn Woodward was not included after Mr Hunt pulled out the reception at the Lysses Hotel.

But Cllr Woodward has now said he did not feel snubbed.

He said: “Everyone was invited to the first event which was at 6pm at the hotel. I had already given my apologies and said I could not attend as I was already committed to going to the Portsmouth Business Awards.”

Cllr Woodward said he only found out about the second secret meeting on Saturday morning when he was contacted by a newspaper.

He said: “As I had already said that I could not attend the first event I was not invited to the second and I honestly don’t know who attended that meeting. I do not feel snubbed. It was a Fareham Conservatives event.”

Daily Echo: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt

PICTURED: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt

Mr Hunt had been due to mingle with party activists at a bash at the Fareham hotel on Friday night, but the event was cancelled among fears that junior doctors might turn up and begin grilling him.

The cancellation came just 24 hours after Mr Hunt vowed to impose controversial junior doctor contracts which medics have pledged to fight against.

Cllr Woodward, who is also an executive member for Hampshire County Council, previously said: “I was instructed that the event had been cancelled due to concerns of safety for participants.

"I was at a business awards ceremony in the evening and was not involved.

“I understand that there had been a lot of staff on Facebook threatening disturbances and there were concerns for safety.

"I must say having been at the Portsmouth City Council meeting earlier this week and seeing the intimidation of councillors and members of the public that took place there, quite frankly I’m not surprised this event was cancelled.”

It has been reported that Thomas Fyfe, chairman of Fareham Conservatives, said: “Because of the very real threat of disturbance from groups circulating details of our planned reception with Jeremy Hunt, the advertised event was cancelled on security grounds.

"A smaller private event for party members to meet Mr Hunt was held instead at another location.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to those who had bought tickets and were unable to attend, all of whom will be offered a full refund.”

This statement came after protestors had posted messages on social media urging people to attend the event organised by Fareham Conservatives and pay the £15 entry fee so they could demonstrate against Mr Hunt’s decision.

Fareham Conservatives were unavailable for comment.

While visiting Hampshire, Mr Hunt did attend a tour of Fareham Community Hospital in the afternoon with Fareham MP Suella Fernandes staff, senior bosses and members of the hospital's task force.

He was meeting a pledge made in October last year when Ms Fernandes personally invited him there when pressing Mr Hunt at Parliamentary Question Time.

The hospital has recently achieved Dementia Friendly status and had a plaque unveiled by the Secretary of State to mark the achievement.