Workington MP Mark Jenkinson is facing criticism after comparing the breach of coronavirus laws with being issued with a parking fine.
Speaking to ITV News yesterday, Mr Jenkinson was asked if the Prime Minister’s position would be untenable if he was issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaking coronavirus laws.
“Would you be asking me the same question if he had a speeding ticket, for example,” he replied.
“A fixed penalty notice for parking his car on a red line in London? I am not sure we would be having this conversation.”
When quizzed on the point that Mr Johnson set the rules relating to coronavirus, the MP responded: “He governs all of the rules regarding roads or delegated powers for parking, for example.”
Among those questioning his comments was ITV’s political editor, Robert Peston.
The argument from some Tory MPs – @markjenkinsonmp just now on @itvnews – that breaching Covid rules is equivalent to parking on a double yellow line is odd. They can’t think the threat to life from anti-social parking is the same as failing to limit the spread of a virus…
— Robert Peston (@Peston) February 1, 2022
Dr Zubaida Haque, a member of Independent Sage, also tweeted about his comments.
'Breaching covid rules is equivalent to parking on a double yellow line': over 176,000 covid deaths – many without loved ones present. 3.7million vulnerable people STILL shielding. And >1.3million with #LongCovid. How is that equivalent to parking on a double yellow line? https://t.co/MdGqPUKVZe
— Dr Zubaida Haque (@Zubhaque) February 2, 2022
