“All Politicians should set a Covid Example” say Michael Fabricant.  “So I was very disappointed to see a Liberal Democrat councillor from Lichfield District flaunting the Rule of Six in a publicity photo with 8 other people outdoors.  There can’t be one rule for politicians and another for the rest.

“Although the individuals all looked safely apart in the photo, the councillor concerned is a solicitor, so knows that regulations are there for a purpose.  I am grateful to a constituent who brought this matter to my attention.

“The rules on the gov.uk website for Tier 3 are very clear:

‘You can see friends and family you do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) in some outdoor public places, in a group of up to 6. This limit of 6 includes children of any age.’ 

“The photograph provided by the councillor openly breaks this rule and sets a poor example to others.  The councillor should have known better – and behaved better.  The Rule of Six is not the Rule of Nine just for the councillor.

“I am very much hoping that within the next few weeks Lichfield will leave Tier 3, but it’s up to all of us ensure that we keep to the rules to reduce infection rates which are currently still too high. These rules are not arbitrary; they are set by epidemiologists in order to minimise the risks to others.”