“Those of us who remember the old days when there was a hard end to drinking in pubs remember what happened in the last hour to half-hour.

“Everybody just drank harder and faster and poured out altogether, as is happening in London now.

“In other words, there is no science behind this, I put it to you, and it could make things worse, not better.”

Mr Dowden insisted there was definitely scientific evidence for the decision.

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The MP said: “That’s why we’re requiring people to be seated in pubs and restaurants.

“That stops the flow of them to and from the bar.

“We are reducing the closing times in order to stop people staying later and drinking.

“The point about all of this is that everyone has their part to play.”

More to follow…