- Gina Mok claims she ‘inadvertently’ breached Covid guidelines in Autumn 2021
- She said she was unaware she had to self isolate after a trip to Bulgaria
A member of a £1,235-a-year Mayfair private members club claims she was ‘belittled and bullied’ after she was expelled over claims she had breached Covid travel rules.
Gina Mok, 46, who was never vaccinated against Covid, is taking a High Court action seeking reinstatement to the exclusive Lansdowne Club in central London.
Ms Mok is seeking £50,000 in damages as well as reinstatement to the club which boasted members such as British fashion designer Paul Smith and American actress Grace Kelly.
The businesswoman was sanctioned by the club after she had ‘inadvertently and excusably’ failed to adhere to strict Covid regulations following a trip to Bulgaria in Autumn 2001.
The High Court heard Ms Mok had failed to self-isolate following her return. Her legal team claimed the regulations had changed while she was abroad.
Gina Mok, pictured, is taking a £50,000 legal action against an exclusive Mayfair club after her membership was terminated for allegedly breaching Covid regulations in October 2021
Ms Mok is seeking compensation and reinstatement as a member to the Lansdowne Club, pictured, in Mayfair, which charges a fee of £1,235 a year
The club maintained that Ms Mok’s breach of the Covid rules were ‘injurious to the character, reputation or interest of the club’.
Ms Mok’s legal team denies the claim and instead suggests that she has suffered ‘mental distress, disappointment and injury to feelings’ following her dismissal from the club.
According to The Telegraph, Ms Mok joined the Lansdowne Club in 2015 and was elected to the organisation’s council in September 2020.
Patrick Heneghan, who is representing Ms Mok, told the court that his client had been viewed as a ‘troublemaker’ and ‘problematic’ shortly after her election to the club’s council.
He said Ms Mok had been disciplined on the day she was appointed to the council for criticising a member of the catering staff.
In October 2021, the court heard that Ms Mok attended a full meeting of the club’s council a day after she returned from Bulgaria, despite a requirement to self-isolate for ten days after returning from the country.
Mr Heneghan said the regulations regarding Bulgaria had changed while his client was out of the country.
David Reade, who is representing the club said the decision to remove Ms Mok was made at a council meeting in November 2021.
He said Ms Mok ‘put the health of others at risk by attending the council meeting’.
Mr Reade added that Ms Mok was showing ‘flulike symptoms’ and could have attended the meeting by Zoom.
He added, Ms Mok had ‘demonstrated an undesirable attitude towards compliance with the rules, the health of others including club members and staff, and the club’s reputation’.
The hearing continues in the High Court and is expected to conclude on October 17.