'I'm not breaking lockdown rules' says food reviewer who drove 46 miles to Milton Keynes to sample a takeaway burger

Matt Davies-Binge runs The Food Review Club and has his own YouTube channel showing him eating foods from takeaways and restaurants all over the country.

He and his wife Jess, who films him for the reviews, lives in Cambridge but the business is registered in Luton. T

The pair sparked criticism after they drove to MK earlier this month to sample the menu at the Five Akhi's halal burger and restaurant on Peartree Bridge.

The video, filmed in the Five Akhi's car park, refers to him having visited other restaurants shortly beforehand.

Later they drove 255 miles to Exeter to review a fish and chip shop. This video, along with other reviews are published on their Food Review Club Facebook page.

But his foodie films are leaving a sour taste in the mouth of some critics, who claim he should not travelling from area to area during the Covid pandemic.

One protestor said: "He is breaking current lockdown 'non essential travel' rules in continuing to make content for his YouTube channel. He is travelling long distances for no reason other than to review food.

"People across the UK are dying on a daily basis because of Covid-19 and this businessman is just interested in making money and does not seem to think the rules do not apply to him."

The Citizen spoke to Mr Davies-Binge, who hotly defended his travels and tasting sessions.

"I'm doing nothing wrong. The government says we can travel for business if we can't work from home. My business is reviewing food - it's what pays my bills and my mortgage. It's my livelihood. I can't do it without travelling."

When asked if he could get food delivered, rather than drive to restaurants, Mr Davies-Binge said: "I can't. It's geographical. I have sponsors and we have to go to where the sponsor is held."

He said he was stopped by police during the Exeter trip.

"Because the business is registered in Luton, they wondered what I was doing there. I explained and they were fine."

He said police had been involved "a few times", but they had never taken any action against him.

"Police have come to my home a couple of times. We've told them what we're doing... We've been cleared for travel to work because we're a registered business... We're legitimate.

We don't want to break the rules. We do a contactless, safe collection. My business means travel is essential. My wife comes with me because she films me.

"I'm just sick of people complaining."