Hospital boss and Piers Morgan slam crackdown on raves of 15 or more

‘Does that mean house parties for 14 are ok?’ Hospital boss and Piers Morgan slam Priti Patel’s ‘confusing’ £800 crackdown on raves of 15 or more for ‘sending mixed message’

  • Yesterday, Patel announced £800 penalty for people at gatherings of 15 or more
  • Fines will double in amount for each repeat offence, up to maximum of £6,400 
  • But Deborah Lee, hospital in Gloucestershire, has said it sends a mixed message
  • Celebrities have also hit out at measure including Piers Morgan and Gary Lineker
  • Hosts of illegal parties and raves are already eligible for fines of up to £10,000

A hospital boss and celebrities have slammed the Government’s £800 fines for house parties of 15 or more – saying it suggests bashes with 14 revellers are okay.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the hefty penalty for Covid-19 lockdown breakers yesterday.

She said the fines – which would increase to £6,400 for repeat offenders – would be dished out to anyone who attended a house party of 15 or more.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced £800 penalty for people going to illicit events yesterday evening at the briefing as she lashed out at people aiding the spread of Covid

But Deborah Lee, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – warned parties of under 15 guests were still not acceptable.

There have been 81,805 deaths in England – 133.4 per 100,000 population where she works running Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals

Mrs Lee said: ‘I can’t help feeling that fining people £800 for attending a house party of 15 or more folk sends a mixed message.

‘For the avoidance of doubt the NHS needs everyone to strictly follow the guidance; there’s nothing that’s OK about a party of 14.’

Chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Deborah Lee

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan also questioned the unclear message.

He tweeted: ‘Does this mean house parties for 14 people are fine?’

Outspoken Match of the Day host Gary Lineker waded in and said: ‘This is ambiguous.

‘Could be interpreted as being acceptable to have 14 or fewer people, which presumably is not the case.’

Actor David Schneider agreed and said: ‘Unclear messaging costs lives. In unrelated news, parties of up to 15 people are apparently fine.’

Ms Patel tweeted after her speech: ‘Just announced: We’re introducing a new £800 fine for those attending house parties.

‘This will double for each repeat offence up to a maximum of £6,400. At this crucial time, please stay home.

‘Protect the NHS. Save lives.’

Flanking Ms Patel as she made the announcement yesterday, NHS England chief for London Dr Vin Diwakar compared breaking the rules to turning on a light in the middle of a blackout during the Blitz. 

‘This is the biggest health emergency to face this country since the Second World War,’ Dr Diwakar said.

‘For me and my colleagues in the NHS breaking the rules in the way that’s been described today is like switching on a light in the middle of the blackout in the Blitz. 

‘It doesn’t just put you at risk in your house, it puts your whole street and the whole of your community at risk.’

Ms Patel told the press conference: ‘These fines will apply to those who attend illegal gatherings of more than 15 people in homes.

‘The science is clear: such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant threat to public health. Not only to those in attendance but to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down.’ 

The UK recorded another 37,892 infections yesterday, but that was down more than a fifth on last Thursday.

There were another 1,290 deaths but that was up just 3.4 per cent on the same day last week, suggesting that the rate might be slowing.

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Kendall Jenner’s Beau Devin Booker Goes Speechless Over Her Bikini Pic
Next post When will schools reopen in the UK?