Middlesbrough Mayor will ‘defy the government’s’ social lockdown order

The Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston, has said on Thursday that he will “defy the government and we do not accept these measures.”

This comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in the House of Commons today that Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Warrington are now ordered to into social lockdown from the weekend.

Preston said that the new restrictions imposed on Middlesbrough are based on “factual inaccuracies.”

Preston said in a statement, “I have to tell you I think this measure has been introduced based on factual inaccuracies and a monstrous and frightening lack of communication, and ignorance.

“I do not accept the statement at all. I do not accept these measures.

“We need to talk to Government, they need to understand our local knowledge, expertise and ability to get things done, and preserve jobs and well-being.

“As things stand, we defy the Government and we do not accept these measures.”

Govt Restrictions Are Unacceptable

We tried to communicate with govt but they didn’t listen

They’re imposing restrictions that’ll kill viable jobs & damage mental health

I do not accept the government’s intended restrictions – they’re based on ignorance

Updates to follow pic.twitter.com/ZqtE1ES8gm

— Andy Preston Mayor (@Tees_Issues) October 1, 2020

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the programme at Imperial from the School of Public Health, told the MailOnline, “While our latest findings show some early evidence that the growth of new cases may have slowed, suggesting efforts to control the infection are working, the prevalence of infection is the highest that we have recorded to date.

“This reinforces the need for protective measures to limit the spread of the disease and the public’s adherence to these, which will be vital to minimise further significant illness and loss of life from Covid-19.”