Reading West MP Alok Sharma is under fire again for quarantine-free visits to red list countries during the pandemic.

Back in June, we reported on concerns about his trip to red-listed Bangladesh as part of his role as President of COP26, a major climate change conference being held in Glasgow later this year.

Mr Sharma is back in the news today, with widespread coverage of his reported visits to more than 30 countries without quarantining on his return, including seven red list countries, according to The Daily Mail.

READ MORE: Reading West MP Alok Sharma defends red-list exemption

A government spokesman said his meetings were “crucial” ahead of COP26.

In June, Labour councillor Rachel Eden, who stood against Mr Sharma in the 2019 general election, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the MP’s visit to Bangladesh was “unnecessary” and lacking in “common sense”.

He has now also been criticised by Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy and the Green Party’s Baroness Jenny Jones.

Mr Sharma returned from his work trip to Bangladesh on June 3 and visited St Michael’s Primary School in Dee Road, Tilehurst, on June 11.

He also met with Prince Charles after his Bangladesh trip and before the school visit, according to The Daily Mail, in an indoor meeting held without masks.

A UK Government spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Helping the world tackle the climate emergency is an international priority for the Government.

“Virtual meetings play a large part, however face to face meetings are key to success in the climate negotiations the UK is leading as hosts of COP26 and are crucial to understanding and seeing first-hand the opportunities and challenges other countries are facing in the fight against climate change.”

READ MORE: Labour rival slams Alok Sharma school visit after red list trip

Normally, after visiting a red list country you must quarantine for 10 days in a hotel, at a cost of £1,750, and can only leave once you have received two negative test results, taken on day two and eight.

But ministers conducting essential travel and work as Crown Servants are exempt from quarantine. These exemptions cover both red list and amber list countries.

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the largest environmental summit in the world.

The COP26 summit will take place in Glasgow in November this year, with delegates travelling from across the globe to meet in-person.

As COP26 President, Mr Sharma is responsible for leading preparations for the conference and chairing the Climate Action Implementation Cabinet Committee to coordinate government action towards net zero by 2050.