A Labour Frontbencher Says Jeremy Corbyn Should Pay A Fine For Flouting The Coronavirus Rules
Jeremy Corbyn faces a fine for breaching coronavirus rules (Credit: PA)
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Jeremy Corbyn should be made to pay a fine after he was caught breaching the government's 'rule of six' coronavirus restrictions, a Labour frontbencher has said.
Shadow mental health minister Rosena Allin-Khan said her former party leader's actions were "inexcusable" after The Sun revealed he was pictured at a dinner party with eight other people present.
Mr Corbyn apologised for the breach and said he understood "remaining at the dinner" was a mistake.
Under government rules, it is against the law to meet in groups of more than six people - inside or outside - amid a rise in cases of the virus across the country.
He now faces a £200 fine, which Ms Allin-Khan said he should be made to pay.
"I'm disappointed," she told Sky News. "I'm glad Jeremy Corbyn has apologised. It is absolutely inexcusable to break the rules, the rules apply to everyone.
"He rightly should be paying a fine, everybody should be fined that breaks the rules."
The former deputy leadership hopeful said the behaviour of Boris Johnson's chief aide Dominic Cummings, who was accused of breaking lockdown rules in May, and the PM's father Stanley Johnson, caught shopping without a mask, was also unacceptable.
"Unfortunately people like Dominic Cummings don't seem to have taken responsibility and we have also Boris Johnson's own father walking in a shop without a mask. We all have a responsibility to adhere to the rules," she said.
But former cabinet minister and health select committee chair Jeremy Hunt said he did not think Mr Corbyn should face a financial penalty.
"The first time round [breaking the rules] we should just be a little bit British, show some common sense. I'm sure he won't do it again, he has apologised," he said.
"My instinct is to show a little bit of lenience."
