Fines for breaking covid rules

The investigation into partygate has now concluded, with Scotland Yard saying it had issued a total of 126 fixed penalty notices (FPNs). It was earlier reported that, once the police investigation had wrapped up, Sue Gray, the second permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office, would then release her potentially damning report into the parties. Ms Gray was tasked with investigating all government parties that took place during coronavirus restrictions, but it has been reported her findings will not be published while a police investigation into "a number" of the parties takes place. There are currently thought to be 15 parties that took place in Number 10 or government departments between May and December, with some coming hours after new restrictions came into force. May 10 2020: Lockdown restrictions reaffirmed by PM The Prime Minister announced the first “careful steps” out of lockdown , but social distancing must still be obeyed. He added that fines would be … [Read more...] about Timeline of all the government parties during lockdown and what Covid rules were in force at the time

Published 1 hour ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Sue Gray wants to name top officials who broke Covid rules at lockdown parties in and around Downing Street. The senior civil servant is now free to publish her full report on the parties after the Metropolitan Police wound up their investigation. The Met have not named any of the 83 individuals who have been fined. But Ms Gray is contacting the ones she wants to name, ahead of the publication of her report, which is expected to be next week. Those expected to be named by Ms Gray have been given until 5pm on Sunday to respond to information she intends to publish about them, it is understood. The prime minister is expected to be among 30 people she is contacting. Boris Johnson said it would be "entirely up to Sue Gray" whom she names when publishing her report, adding: … [Read more...] about Sue Gray planning to name No 10 Covid rule-breakers

Published 30 November 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing More than 3,000 fines have been issued by Welsh police forces for breaches of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, new figures have shown. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 3,028 fixed penalty notices were issued to people in Wales between 27 March and 16 November. Dyfed Powys Police, handed out more than half of the fines in the country, with 1,759 notices. Almost a third of all notices were given to people aged between 18 and 24. 52 student partygoers fined for Covid rules breach German tourists fined for breaching lockdown Three-quarters of fines were issued to men. Of the 3,022 fines in Wales, 2,215 of those related to breaking restrictions on movement. This amounts to about 73% of all fines in Wales. English forces issued just under 22,000 fines over the … [Read more...] about Covid in Wales: More than 3,000 fines issued for breaches

By Paul Martin Published 4 November 2020 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Fining people for breaking self-isolation "tends not to work," according to a government adviser. Ann John said support, such as the new £500 payment for low earners, was more effective than "punitive measures." The Welsh Government has announced a new legal requirement for people told to self-isolate by contact tracers. First Minister Mark Drakeford said fines would be used "when we've run out of everything else". The Welsh Government has not yet said how much the fines will be. In England, refusing to self-isolate can lead to a fine of up to £10,000. What are the rules around self-isolation? Potato buyer handed fine for Covid rule breach 'Carrot as well as stick' to enforce covid rules A study cited by the UK government's … [Read more...] about Covid-19 self-isolation fines ‘tend not to work’

Sir Keir Starmer intends to dodge resignation on a technicality if he broke Covid rules but is not fined. Labour sources say the party's leader will not resign unless Durham Constabulary issues him with a fixed penalty notice , despite his statement on Monday that he believes in "the principle that those who make the laws must follow them". The Durham force, running the investigation into the "beergate" gathering in April 2021, has a policy not to issue retrospective fines and may choose to treat Sir Keir in the same way as any member of the public. After Dominic Cummings was reported to the force in 2020 for his trip to Barnard Castle, detectives chose not to issue a fixed penalty notice but issued a statement that suggested he "may" have broken the rules . Detectives privately believed the rules had been breached by Mr Cummings, the former Downing Street adviser, but did not want to act as "judge and jury" on the matter. They suggested that while he may have been … [Read more...] about Sir Keir Starmer will not resign over ‘beergate’ if he broke rules but isn’t fined

Published 7 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A police officer has been sacked after allegedly leaking the name of a woman who reported her aunt and uncle over a planned Covid-rule breaking party. PC Peter Ashton, of North Wales Police, had been in the Freemasons, as had the uncle, known as Mr A. Officers attended Mr and Mrs A's house on New Year's Eve 2020, but found nothing untoward. PC Ashton had denied leaking the informant's name, but was sacked after a misconduct hearing. The misconduct panel heard how PC Ashton asked for the Covid-related reports in February 2021, asking the counter assistant to search a police computer. He was accused of then passing on the name of the woman who had reported Mr and Mrs A to them. The misconduct panel said the counter assistant was "a conscientious employee who was exploited by PC Ashton" so there was no computer … [Read more...] about Police officer sacked for leaking name of Covid party accuser

Published 28 November 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A couple travelling from Essex to deliver Christmas presents to family were among those stopped for breaking coronavirus laws in Cardiff. South Wales Police stopped more than 100 vehicles in the capital on Friday and Saturday. Twelve people were fined and a further 15 people were asked to leave the city. Ch Sup Wendy Gunney said people continuing to break the rules were putting others at "increased risk". South Wales Police were granted extra powers, including random vehicle checks, around Cardiff which started from 09:00 GMT on so-called Black Friday. The checks will continue until 17:00 on Sunday. Court issues thousands in lockdown fines in a day German tourists fined for breaching rules Rules put people on border in 'difficult situation' Among the 110 people stopped by police in … [Read more...] about Covid: Essex couple delivering presents to Cardiff fined

Published 5 November 2020 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Fines for breaking self-isolation will be similar to other Welsh coronavirus penalties, Wales' health minister has suggested. The Welsh Government is making it a legal requirement to self-isolate when instructed to. Vaughan Gething said the fines would "ideally" be consistent with fixed penalty notices (FPNs) which start at £60. A government adviser has said fines "tend not to work" . Mr Gething said he does not want an "enforcement-heavy approach". Under the existing coronavirus FPN system people can be fined £60 for a first offence, which increases to £120 for a second offence and continues to double for repeated offences, up to a maximum of £1,920. If prosecuted, however, a court can impose an unlimited fine. 'Last resort' Mr Gething said: "We're looking … [Read more...] about Covid: Failing to isolate fine ‘will be similar to other penalties’

Published 13 November 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing More than 50 partygoers at a Cardiff Metropolitan University student hall of residence have been fined for breaching Covid-19 rules. Police were alerted to the get-together last Friday night. Music was "blaring" and there were dozens of people inside, South Wales Police said. The revellers' details were taken by officers and 52 fines of "at least £60" were issued, police said. Inquiries into a further four people are ongoing. "It is unfortunate that our officers were left with little option but to fine those who showed a flagrant disregard for the coronavirus regulations - and more importantly their own health and that of their peers and the wider community by either hosting or attending this party," said Supt Jason Rees. Swansea potato buyer handed fine for journey Failing to isolate fine 'will be … [Read more...] about Covid: Cardiff Metropolitan University partygoers fined

Published 20 September 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Welsh Government may have to consider stricter enforcement if people continue to break Covid-19 rules, according a minister. Eluned Morgan said they would need to "look at the evidence as to who is breaking the rules". She also said Welsh ministers had not had a chance to discuss a change of policy on fines in England. The UK government is introducing £10,000 fines for people who fail to self-isolate. Its new measures also include a one-off £500 support payment for those on lower incomes. International Relations Minister Ms Morgan told BBC Politics Wales : "We need people to follow the rules and we need to make sure there is carrot as well as stick. Where might the next Welsh Covid-19 lockdown be? UK seeing second wave of Covid, says Johnson "We want to know a bit more about the … [Read more...] about Covid: Stricter enforcement considered to enforce rules in wales