LEGAL COMMENT ON THE SUE GRAY FINDINGS

Gerry Bermingham, Barrister at No5 Barristers’ Chambers and member of Birmingham Law Society, comments on the impact of Sue Gray’s findings on those who have already received penalties as a result of breaking restrictions:

“The important question is what is the Law and what has a person done? In the case of COVID, there were rules laid down which were meant to be obeyed by everyone and these were approved by Parliament. There were penalties attached which applied to all and so the question is, has that person breached the rules?

“Boris Johnson is a citizen like anyone else and the rules apply to him equally. It will be for the Courts and others to determine who has broken the rules and, if so, what penalties will be imposed.

“Penalties already imposed can only be removed by a general amnesty, no matter the findings from today’s report. The rule of law applies to everyone equally.”