The British government is facing a challenge to the legality of the coronavirus lockdown by a wealthy businessman who fears that this current lockdown will kill more people than it saves. Simon Dolan, who according to the Sunday Times rich list is currently worth £142 million, is an investor in a number of companies including ‘Jota Aviation’. His company has been delivering PPE.
However, in a twist, Mr Dolan has notified the health secretary that he intends to issue proceedings for a judicial review. This is unless the government eases some of the lockdown measures and liberties. This action appearing to echo that taken by Gina Miller over Brexit.
As part of this judicial review, Mr Dolan believes that the lockdown was both legally defective and disproportionate in law. He is also seeking access to minutes of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) meetings this year. A “letter before action” has been sent to Matt Hancock that says “Failure to do so [release the minutes] will result in an application for disclosure if proceedings have to be issued”.
Mr Dolan is the author of a book called ‘How to Make Millions Without a Degree’ and is insistent that he is not embarking on the the case to throw the country into chaos, but simply to restore the public’s right to decide for themselves if they want to visit friends, go to work or stay indoors, according to his crowdfunding page. Mr Dolan has offered to “consider not issuing proceedings if serious, alternative, less draconian suggested restrictions were imposed”.
The lawyer on the case is Michael Gardner and has said the government had been given until Thursday to reply to this first letter. Should the government not come back with a satisfactory answer then Mr Gardner he will apply for an urgent court hearing. UNN’s Oliver Down will be keeping across this developing story and will bring you any information as we have it.
[give_form id=”1772″ show_title=”false” show_goal=”false” show_content=”below” display_style=”modal”]
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
[sibwp_form id=4]
