Lancashire “blackmail and intimidation” for accepting Level 3 lockdown

Another 1.5 million people in England will be subject to the harshest restrictions of the Coronavirus this weekend as Lancashire moves to Level 3 (Photo: AFP / Getty Images)
Lancashire leaders say they have been blackmailed and intimidated to impose strict restrictions on the coronavirus on the population. The district will move to level 3 lockdown at midnight tonight Cities like Blackpool, Preston and Blackburn joined Liverpool City in the “very high” category. An agreement was reportedly reached with Downing Street last night despite fierce opposition.
South Ripple, Preston and Bendle Council leaders resisted a Tier 2 Lancashire move but claimed to have warned that their townships would be “island” and “isolated” if they refused to cooperate. But Number 10 insisted it worked “in consultation” with the councils. Visit our live blog for the latest updates Coronavirus news live
Preston City Council mayor Matthew Brown told how he fought “to the bitter end” for adequate government support including a more generous job support scheme. Ultimately, however, he said, “He was left with no choice.” Tell Lanx Live: ‘They bullied us in a situation where we got a bad deal and it could have been a lot poorer if we stayed out of it.
Shoppers in Preston, Lancashire, that moves to Level 3 at midnight (Photo: AFP / Getty Images)
“I was told that we would be an island where people cannot travel outside the city.” South Ripple House Leader Paul Foster also criticized the government’s lack of support, claiming that the Treasury could “easily afford”.
They basically said they would put residents in harsher measures in those areas that did not agree to a deal. “So when we said we couldn’t agree to something that was not in the interest of our society, they basically said, ‘Well, you will, or we will do such-and-such.’
A parade of shops in Ormskirk, Lancashire, where families should not mingle from midnight tonight (Photo: PA)
Meanwhile, Bendel’s leader, Counselor Mohamed Iqbal, repeated the bullying allegations and insisted that the deal would not work. “The Lancashire leaders have been intimidated by 10 Downing Street into accepting a deal that all parties know is not sufficient to stop the virus,” he said.
The decision, announced this morning, will prevent residents from communicating with other families and force the closure of hundreds of bars and pubs that do not serve food. Leaders fear that this will crush the region’s already fragile economy and could leave people destitute
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said council leaders worked in ” consultation ” with the government (Photo: Palestinian Authority)
When asked about the bullying allegations, the prime minister’s spokesperson said, ” He (Boris Johnson) is very grateful that the council leaders in Lancashire have worked in consultation with and joined the government.
We want to continue working with local authorities in other areas where we have major concerns in order to seek to put in place more measures to control the virus. The spokesperson insisted that the government’s approach throughout was to “work constructively with local authorities” to ensure people receive the “appropriate level of support”. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected]
For more stories like this one, Check out our news page.
Get the latest news, happy stories, analysis and more
- Original Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MG 3200 Canon PG540/CL-541 5225B006 –...
SALE PRICE: £33.78YOU SAVE: £2.15 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. Original Ink suitable for Canon Pixma MG […]
- Brother LC-129XLBK Inkjet Cartridge, Black, Single Pack, Super High Yield,...
RRP PRICE: £25.20SALE PRICE: £22.98YOU SAVE: £2.22 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. LC129XLBK Prints 2400 pages in […]
- Amazon Basics Multipurpose Address Labels, 210.0mm x 297.0mm, 100 Sheets, 1...
SALE PRICE: £10.09YOU SAVE: £0.84 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. 210 x 297 mm, 1 label per sheet, 100 sheets per […]
- iCasso Extended Gaming Mouse Pad, Large 40X90 cm (35.4×15.75 in) XL Non-Slip...
SALE PRICE: £15.99YOU SAVE: £1.00 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. ✔【Large and Perfect Size.】The size of […]
- Amplicomms BigTel 1480 – Big Button Phone for Elderly with Answer Machine –...
RRP PRICE: £94.99SALE PRICE: £88.40YOU SAVE: £6.59 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. BIG BUTTONS – Memory buttons […]
- Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC – Smartphone 128GB, 6GB RAM, Dual Sim, Shadow Gray...
SALE PRICE: £199.80YOU SAVE: £8.20 About this item This fits your . by entering your model number. Display: 6.67 “, 1080 x 2400 pixels […]
- AtailorBird Wrist Rest Set, Waterproof PU Leather Ergonomic Memory Foam Mouse...
SALE PRICE: £11.99YOU SAVE: £1.00 This fits your . by entering your model number. Soft & Breathable Material: Made of PU leather surface […]
- Dual-Sided Leather Desk Pad, Large Desk Office Laptop Computer Mouse Mat,...
SALE PRICE: £12.99YOU SAVE: £1.00 This fits your . by entering your model number. Double Sided Use: With a different colour each side, this […]
- Office Hippo Heavy Duty Wood Framed Stackable Meeting Chair with Arms,...
RRP PRICE: £120.00SALE PRICE: £108.01YOU SAVE: £11.99 About this item An elegant and robust wood framed stacking armchair suitable for reception […]
- Fancii LED Makeup Mirror with 3 Light Settings, Rechargeable Trifold Vanity...
RRP PRICE: £49.99SALE PRICE: £33.99YOU SAVE: £16.00 About this item Tru-Glow Light System – Choose from warm, neutral, and natural daylight. 3 […]