• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
  • Guest Content
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

MPs should ‘lead by example’ by wearing masks in Parliament

Government guidance says face coverings are recommended in crowded and enclosed spaces.

Henry Goodwin by Henry Goodwin
2021-08-18 15:23
in Politics
HOUSE OF COMMONS

Photo: PA

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Politicians wearing face coverings in Parliament when they are not speaking sets a good example, a public health expert has warned.

The House of Commons was at its busiest since March 2020 as MPs were recalled to debate the situation in Afghanistan, with members sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.

Some were wearing face coverings as they sat for the hours-long session, but many, including Boris Johnson, were not.

Labour MP Dame Angela Eagle tweeted: “Not a single member of the Govt front bench wearing a mask from PM & Health Secretary on down #HoC Almost no other Tory either.”

Crowded and enclosed spaces

Since 19 July face coverings have not been mandatory in England, but government guidance says they are recommended in crowded and enclosed spaces.

It says: “We expect and recommend that members of the public continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.”

It adds that people should “use your judgment in deciding where you should wear one”.

Asked why a number of MPs were not wearing masks in the House of Commons, the prime minister’s official spokesman said it was a matter for the parliamentary authorities.

The spokesman said the advice “still remains” that face coverings should be worn in indoor crowded spaces.

RelatedPosts

EU council approves Windsor Framework as in-fighting Tories continue to squabble

Boris Johnson confesses to misleading Parliament over Partygate – but says ‘he didn’t mean to’

Tory councillor quits after calling Ian Wright a ‘typical Black hypocrite’ following Gary Lineker controversy

Conservative Party would be ‘finished’ if Johnson returned as leader

But he added: “The arrangements for the House are a matter for the parliamentary authorities, as you know masks are not a mandatory requirement.”

‘Lead by example’

Edinburgh University professor of public health Linda Bauld acknowledged that while it might be difficult to make a speech in Parliament with a mask on, it would be “good practice” for them to be worn when not speaking.

She said: “The virus is airborne, we currently have slightly rising numbers of cases, so it is a protective measure that they can take and I’m sure everyone in public health would agree when indoors we should do that where possible.

“It is important that people who are in positions of authority lead by example, and that’s been a bit of an issue throughout the pandemic in a whole variety of respects but continues to be the case.

“If public figures are wearing them indoors, that will encourage others to do that in working environments even if it’s advisory.

“When you’re in a crowded indoor environment and distancing, as in two metres, is not possible, then a face covering does provide additional protection.

“And I think if members of the public are seeing a crowded indoor environment, where those mitigations are not being used when they’re available, that’s not best practice and it may send a message in relation to other environments that people are accessing.”

Related: ‘Feels like defeat’: Tom Tugendhat delivers powerful Afghanistan speech

Content Protection by DMCA.com
Tags: Boris Johnson

Since you are here

Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.

Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.

Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.

If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.

To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.

The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.

The shop can be found here.

You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending

Elevenses: Exposing the Tories’ Deepfake Illegal Immigration Bill

Elevenses: Rishi’s Finest Hour

Elevenses: Fear and Loathing in the New Conservatives

More from TLE

Ondine’s Roy Brett To Host Week Long Residency In London

Shocking pictures show children hanging around on level crossing

REVEALED: Top 10 ‘most intelligent’ Royals places Meghan first

Drink driver kills cyclist then orders another pint

Watch: PM ‘lied to the nation on Friday’ – TV presenter slams FOUR top Tories for India ‘lies’

#Wasteminster: Greenpeace campaign highlights weight of UK plastic sent overseas

Newspapers tackling their falling readership by throwing scare-mongering immigrant stories on front page

Paedo housemaster abused boys in Kenya after receiving reference from prestigious boarding school

Nicola Sturgeon publishes her personal tax returns dating back to 2014

French police protest against ban on chokeholds after George Floyd death

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.