Tens of thousands of Brits who were given criminal convictions for flouting Covid rules should have their 'slates wiped clean', says ex-justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland
- He demanded that the 29,383 people charged should be granted amnesty
- Almost 16,000 of those convictions were given to people under the age of 30
The former justice secretary has called for anyone who received a criminal conviction for flouting Covid rules to have their 'slate wiped clean'.
Sir Robert Buckland has demanded that the 29,383 people who were charged for breaking Covid rules should be granted amnesty as it was an 'exceptional time'.
He added that he did not fair that those criminal charges could go on to hamper their professional lives, as they would not be able to work as a teacher, social worker or in the police force.
The idea has been supported by two former Cabinet ministers, Sir David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg, while it is understood that Alex Chalk, the current justice secretary is also sympathetic.
Sir Robert Buckland has demanded that the 29,383 people who were charged for breaking Covid rules should be granted amnesty as it was an 'exceptional time'
The idea has been supported by two former Cabinet ministers, Sir David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg , while it is understood that Alex Chalk (above), the current justice secretary is also sympathetic
This would mean that the fines paid by Boris Johnson , Rishi Sunak and Carrie Johnson in April 2022 for attending a birthday gathering for the PM in No 10 could also be wiped out
Sir Robert said: 'It is not proportionate or necessary at a time when we want to encourage and support as many people back to work as possible.
'If it is not being recorded in the usual way as a previous conviction, I would wipe the slate clean.'
Offences which are being examined include attending gatherings, leaving home during lockdowns and failing to wear face coverings.
This could mean that the fixed penalty notices issued to Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Carrie Johnson in April 2022 for attending a birthday gathering for the PM in No 10 could also be wiped out.
Mr Johnson became the UK's first serving prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law.
And despite all three apologising, it would eventually lead to Mr Johnson being forced to resign as prime minister.
Sir David Davis claimed that all but the most egregious breaches should be 'obliterated' from the record
Ministry of Justice data shows the 29,000 fines of up to £10,000 issued by magistrates totalled £26 million
Offences which are being examined include attending gatherings, leaving home during lockdowns and failing to wear face coverings
Sir David Davis claimed that all but the most egregious breaches should be 'obliterated' from the record.
'Much of the Covid regulation was heavy handed, unnecessary and penalised people wrongly. For this to turn into a lifetime penalty is a shameful disgrace and we should correct it as soon as possible.'
These charges can also prevent you from travelling to countries such as America, as you are required to declare any criminal convictions when applying for visas to visit and they reserve the right to permanently ban anyone who fails to reveal one.
Agreeing with him Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, called the Covid measures 'draconian', adding that with 'hindsight' they can be easily seen as unfair.
He said: 'It is time for an amnesty on Covid fines which were an unnecessarily draconian measure at the time but with hindsight look entirely disproportionate.'
Ministry of Justice data shows the 29,000 fines of up to £10,000 issued by magistrates totalled £26 million.
Almost 16,000 of those convictions were given to people under the age of 30.
