, Shadow Home Secretary, has today written to the Home
Secretary to raise serious questions about the implications for
policing, following the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday.
The letter points to a number of policing areas that have been
thrown in to confusion as a result of the attempt to justify
Dominic Cummings’ 260 mile trip with a household member
displaying Coronavirus symptoms.
The Shadow Home Secretary asks for clarification on a number of
questions including:
- Has guidance to police forces now been updated regarding travel
restrictions for people with coronavirus symptoms and those in a
household with someone experiencing symptoms?
- If people are travelling in a car in the expectation that they
may require child care at some point, can you confirm that police
will not be empowered to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to them?
- Can you make public details of any communications between the
Durham Constabulary and government officials and/or ministers
since Thursday 21 May?
Thomas-Symonds highlights that “police officers have put
themselves at extraordinary risk to keep people safe during this
crisis, whilst also working with great skill to interpret and
explain public health legislation.” And raises concerns that this
makes their job even more difficult.
Ends
Notes to editors
[Full text of letter]
Dear Priti,
The recent revelations regarding the actions of the Prime
Minister’s most senior adviser, Mr , are deeply worrying.
As you will be aware, Mr Cummings’ decision to travel over 260
miles with a family member experiencing clear symptoms of
Coronavirus has caused deep concerns. This is both as a result of
the public health risks this posed, and the stark difference from
the way many families have addressed such challenges through this
crisis.
As a result, I would be grateful if you could address the
following questions:
- Has guidance to police forces now been updated regarding travel
restrictions for people with coronavirus symptoms and those in a
household with someone experiencing symptoms?
- If people who are travelling in a car in the expectation that
they may require child care at some point, can you confirm that
police will not be empowered to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to
them?
- Can you further confirm which modes of transport people are
allowed to use when they are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus
or are in a household with someone else experiencing symptoms?
- If using cars, are people in either of these situations allowed
to break their journey for comfort breaks at public spaces, such
as a service station or rest point?
- Can you provide assurance that Mr Cummings had put in place
arrangements with police and other emergency services to ensure
that were assistance needed en route that response staff would
attend with appropriate PPE?
- Can you outline in detail what the Prime Minister meant when he
said that people are allowed to follow their “instincts” when
seeking to isolate and how this supersedes the very clear public
health guidance, which says:
“Essential travel does not include visits to second
homes...whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must
remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts
additional pressure on communities and services that are already
at risk.”
- How many Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued by police
forces where those apprehended have used the need to access
childcare as a mitigation?
- Can you make public details of any communications between the
Durham Constabulary and government officials and/or ministers
since Thursday 21 May?
As you know, police officers have put themselves at extraordinary
risk to keep people safe during this crisis, whilst also working
with great skill to interpret and explain public health
legislation. The confusion and misinformation caused by the
government’s response to these revelations appears to make this
work even more difficult.
I find this deeply concerning and will do all I can to try and
support the police’s efforts by requesting greater clarity on
issue.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
Shadow Home Secretary
