Ashfield MP slams pubs for putting people at risk by holding lock ins

The area’s Member of Parliament Lee Anderson posted on his Facebook page that he had heard some of the pubs in the area had been opening their back doors to allow illegal group drinking sessions to take place.

He said: “I have spoken at great length with the local police and specifically Inspector Craig Hall. Any pubs that are reported to me will be getting a knock from our Boys in Blue.”

The government’s rules during the Covid 19 outbreak ban gatherings of more than two people or a single household.

Mr Anderson had also commented in a further post on Facebook with regard to the news that police in the East Midlands had reported the dispersal of a "massive" 25-person karaoke party in a house in Normanton, near Derby.

Officers discovered the gathering on Saturday night. The police had posted images of the party which have gone viral on social media. The pictures showed a party table heavily laden with vast amounts of food and drink.

Commenting on the incident on Facebook Mr Anderson said: “Idiots!”

“Whilst NHS staff, care workers, and in fact people all over the country are working hard, obeying the rules and making sacrifices there is still this section of society who stick two fingers up to the rest of us.

“If you do this then you are putting lives at risk.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has placed the UK on lockdown with threats of police fines for anyone ignoring drastic measures aimed at tackling the spread of Covid 19.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “Neighbourhood Policing Inspectors across the force have proactive patrol plans for their teams ensuring they engage with the public and explain the national guidelines and encourage people to stay indoors to help save lives.

“Where areas are highlighted as having issues they are included in the patrol plans at the earliest opportunity.”