Last night, Parliament once again endorsed the Regulations meaning that, in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic, gatherings of more than six people outdoors remain illegal.
I am disappointed that the Bathurst Park Recreation Trust, and Labour councillors on Lydney Town Council, have decided to allow the protest in Lydney to go ahead.
If we were not in the middle of a global pandemic, I would be happy to defend the right to protest, especially for a cause we can all agree on such as opposing racism.
However, the law is clear – “no person may participate in a gathering which takes place...outdoors, and consists of more than six persons”.
The Home Secretary Priti Patel was clear as to the legal effect of these Regulations, saying in advance of the protests in London last weekend that “gathering in large numbers at this exceptional time is illegal. Doing so puts everyone’s lives at risk.”
I have raised the police advice received by the Town Council with Gloucestershire Constabulary’s senior leadership team accordingly, and I look forward to their response.