Starmer says Stamford Hill Covid rule breaches 'inexcusable' - The Jewish Chronicle

Sir Keir Starmer has described the conduct of those in Stamford Hill who refused to adhere to Covid prevention rules are “inexcusable” after speaking out on Labour’s drive to ensure an equitable roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine.

Asked to comment on the events of last week in which members of the Charedi community in north London openly ignored lockdown regulations, the Labour leader said: “It doesn’t matter which community we are talking about – we have all got to follow the rules.

“And that is why consistently as Leader of the Opposition I have been saying whatever other criticisms we may have of the government in a lockdown, it is really important that everybody complies with the rules.”

Sir Keir commended what he said were the “expressions of regret” issued by “faith and community leaders” in response the illegal wedding celebration that took place in Stamford Hill last week.

He added there was “no excuse” for this conduct and highlighted the fact that as he was speaking on Tuesday, when the death toll from coronavirus was officially confirmed to have gone above 100,000 people in the UK.

“Everybody who knowingly breaks the rules is putting themselves and others at risk,” said Sir Keir. “Particularly on a day like this when the awful milestone of 100, 000 people having lost their lives has been met, it is inexcusable. I think that is the right word in relation to what we saw last week.”

Speaking to Jewish and Black, Asian and minority ethnic journalists Sir Keir also insisted that “mixed messaging from the government had not helped” in terms of making application of the rules clear in the country as a whole.

He said that while the data was clear that the vast majority of citizens in the UK were following the rules regarding Covid prevention, it was the “government’s job to make sure the rules are clear so everybody feels that can follow them.”

But Sir Keir also said that complaints about mixed messaging “should not be used as an excuse for those that do know what the rules are and are not complying with them.”

He added: “I do think legislation could be introduced very quickly. It would have cross party support. Jo Stevens made that offer before she was taken into hospital, but I’m pleased to say is on the mend now from Covid.

“I extended that offer to the Prime Minister to work with him to say where there’s fake information about our vaccines, we need to come down hard on it because it costs lives.”

Labour held Tuesday’s briefing to promote the party’s Let's Vaccinate Britain campaign and drive to ensure an equitable roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine.

But as the UK pandemic death toll passed 100, 000 , Sir Keir said:” "This is a national tragedy and a terrible reminder of all that we have lost as a country.

“We must never become numb to these numbers or treat them as just statistics. Every death is a loved one, a friend, a neighbour, a partner or a colleague. It is an empty chair at the dinner table.

“To all those that are mourning, we must promise to learn the lessons of what went wrong and build a more resilient country. That day will come and we will get there together.

“But for now we must remember those that we have lost and be vigilant in the national effort to stay at home, protect our NHS and vaccinate Britain.”