Bereaved families mark the one-year anniversary of the National Covid Memorial Wall
(Picture: PA)Two siblings who lost their father to Covid have said the fines being issued over lockdown-breaking Downing Street parties are a “kick in the teeth” and demanded that Boris Johnson resign if he receives a penalty.
Police have confirmed that 20 fines are being issued over gatherings held during lockdown in government buildings, but will not identify the individuals concerned.
Oliver Mousley, 19, and his sister Phoebe, 25, were among hundreds of families to travel to London to mark the one-year anniversary of the National Covid Memorial Wall and sign a petition for it to be made permanent.
Their father Ian died last March 6 aged just 51 and they were forced to observe Covid restrictions limiting numbers at his funeral.
Speaking at a march to Downing Street to hand in the petition to No 10 on Tuesday, they said the fines were “not enough”.
Oliver, from Derbyshire, said: “Especially when you were having limits of 30 at funerals… It’s just insulting to us and everyone else that’s here today. It’s just an insult.” He added the Prime Minister should “definitely” resign if he is at any point among those to be handed a penalty.
Phoebe said: “Obviously we were very lucky that we were able to be there with my dad when he passed away but a lot of people weren’t given that privilege. And I just think it’s a kick in the teeth for a lot of families that have had to go through it and they’ve been on their own. And to be honest, I’m happy about the fines but I don’t think it’s enough.”
Their mother Nicola Mousley, 48, said she was pleased those who had been issued fines were being “brought to account” and hopes there will be “more to come” as she paid tribute to her late husband.
Ms Mousley was just short of her silver anniversary with spouse Ian when he died with Covid.
She said: “We’re just trying to make sure he doesn’t get forgotten and all these people get remembered because they deserve that.” She described coming to the wall to mark its first anniversary as an “overwhelming” and “emotional” experience.
The NHS worker added that the family has “stuck to all the rules” but still “lost somebody they loved”, making it only fake that those who breached restrictions were held accountable.
Speaking about the fines, she said: “I’m glad that they are looking into it and taking seriously the issue of these fines and hopefully there will be some more to come.
