UK NEWS

Labour Mayor of Luton and councillors apologise for breach of Covid19 rules

25 July, 2020
David Clews

The Mayor of Luton and two local councillors have apologised after they were pictured at a party breaking lockdown rules.

Mayor Tahir Malik was at the outdoor gathering with councillors Waheed Akbar and Asif Masood, and about nine other men which is more than twice the number allowed under legislation.

This comes as Luton was placed on the government’s “area of intervention” list – the same level on the coronavirus watchlist as Leicester, where stricter measures were introduced – following an increase in COVID-19 cases.

In the pictures of the party, none of the men were wearing face masks and they were all sitting close together around a long table as they ate and chatted.

The three Labour councillors said in a statement to Luton Today:

“We apologise unreservedly to the people of Luton for our breach of the lockdown rules.

During the course of the event, the arrival of additional guests meant the rules were breached.

We should have left immediately, and it is a matter of sincere regret for each of us that we did not do so.

It is all of our responsibility to follow the guidelines. We are sorry that we did not live up to the standards that are rightly expected of us.”

A Luton Council Spokesperson said:

“The council has received complaints concerning the alleged conduct of three councillors.

We take all such complaints extremely seriously and an investigation into their alleged behaviour will be started and a decision arrived at.

The council has recently re-issued its guidance concerning coronavirus and expects everyone to follow this in order to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.”

The Local Labour Party Chief Whip confirmed they are investigating the incident:

“It is essential that everybody follows social distancing measures in order to protect the public from COVID-19.

It is even more important for those in positions of authority to be setting the right example.

The Labour Party investigates all complaints received and where rules have been breached, action will be taken in line with the Labour Party’s processes.”

 

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