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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Sam Blewett

Police delayed law after getting Hancock’s Covid legislation with minutes to go

PA Archive

Police had to put off enforcing new coronavirus laws because they only received the legislation signed off by Matt Hancock 16 minutes before it was meant to be enforced, the Covid inquiry has heard.

Martin Hewitt, the former chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said on Thursday he had to tell then-home secretary Dame Priti Patel officers would need more time to act.

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