After months of denials, we now know there were multiple parties in Downing Street that breached lockdown rules. Fixed penalty notices have been handed to staff who attended events including on April 16, 2021.
That was the night before the funeral of Prince Philip, where the Queen, dressed all in black, sat alone to mourn the death of her husband of 73 years, in line with regulations at the time. Her sacrifice contrasts sharply with the rule-breaking that took place at the heart of government, at a time when millions of ordinary Britons were conscientiously following the rules.
Number 10 has already committed to revealing whether Boris Johnson himself is fined, but this must be extended to any senior civil servants and ministers. Public trust depends on transparency.
Ultimately, these fines shine a light on a culture of rule-breaking in the heart of Whitehall and call into question the Prime Minister’s words to Parliament when he said he had been “repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken”. They were. For those who lost loved ones to Covid, the pain and loss will not be forgotten.
Easter travel chaos
Broken-down trains at Eurotunnel and mass Covid related cancellations by easyJet — the great Easter getaway has not got off to a good start.
If you are trying to escape the return of classic early spring weather for some foreign sunshine, bon voyage, and perhaps pack an extra book for the journey.
