Priti Patel and Martin Hewitt Testify in Covid Inquiry, Admit £10,000 Fines Were Disproportionate and Rules Were Confusing

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel and ex-police chief Martin Hewitt testify in COVID inquiry, acknowledging confusion over COVID laws, lack of police consultation, and disproportionate £10,000 fines for lockdown breaches; Boris Johnson's demand for "bigger fines" revealed.

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel and ex-police chief Martin Hewitt testified in the COVID-19 inquiry, admitting that the £10,000 fines for lockdown breaches were disproportionate and the rules were indeed confusing.
Patel stated that the fines were not proportionate and the Home Office expressed its dissatisfaction at the time. A note from former PM Boris Johnson indicated he wanted 'bigger fines' and tougher enforcement.
Hewitt, the former chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, shared that regulations were changing so quickly that officers were sometimes given as little as 16 minutes notice before new rules came into effect, making enforcement challenging.
The inquiry heard that the lack of clarity over regulations and guidance, which were presented as interchanged by ministers during media interviews, created confusion among the public and affected compliance levels.
Hewitt added that the differing rules across the UK and the influx of people to beauty spots during the pandemic put more stress on the police. Furthermore, he believed the inability of law enforcement to consult on new restrictions hampered their efficacy.
Patel critiqued the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil in 2021, labelling it as 'totally inappropriate', and stated that politicians shouldn't dictate to the police when to arrest people, a nod to respecting the operational independence of the police.