London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

From ministers to celebrities, the UK’s alleged Covid rule-breakers

From ministers to celebrities, the UK’s alleged Covid rule-breakers

Those said to have flouted regulations also include MPs, scientists … and Dominic Cummings

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has admitted breaking social distancing rules after pictures emerged of him embracing an aide last month. It is not the first time people in the public eye, from celebrities to ministers, have been caught flouting official guidelines, and many were forced to resign. Here are some of the most high-profile cases.

Dominic Cummings, PM’s former chief aide


Cummings caused outrage at the height of the first lockdown in March 2020, when the Guardian and Daily Mirror revealed that he had travelled from London to Durham while suffering suspected Covid symptoms. Despite immense pressure, including from Conservative MPs, Boris Johnson refused to sack him. He resigned late last year after a No 10 power struggle.

Margaret Ferrier, former SNP MP


Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, travelled from Scotland to London in September after showing coronavirus symptoms, then back again after getting a positive test result – a journey of 400 miles. She had the SNP whip removed and apologised, but remains an independent MP. She was charged with culpable and reckless conduct in February. She has said the virus made her “act out of character” and that she panicked.

Prof Neil Ferguson, scientist


The Imperial College London epidemiologist, who was an adviser to the government on the pandemic, was revealed by the Telegraph to have been visited at home by his lover on at least two occasions in March and April 2020. He resigned from his position on 6 May admitting an error of judgement. Hancock said at the time that he was speechless at Ferguson’s behaviour.


Rita Ora, singer


Ora was criticised for breaking lockdown rules to throw a 30th birthday party attended by 17 people. Her security team allegedly offered a London restaurant owner £5,000 to host the party in November and switch off the CCTV cameras. The singer apologised. It later emerged that she should have been self-isolating at the time after returning from Egypt.

Dr Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s chief medical officer


Calderwood was forced to quit her role after she was found to have twice visited her second home on the coast of Fife. The then leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Jackson Carlaw, said her stepping down had been the right course of action. “There cannot be one rule for the bosses and another one for everyone else,” he said.

Robert Jenrick, housing secretary


Jenrick visited his parents’ home in Shropshire, 40 miles from his home in Herefordshire, in April 2020. He said he dropped off food and medication and did not enter the house. His behaviour was cleared by the prime minister, whose spokesman said: “We’re confident that he complied with the social distancing rules.” There was some criticism of Jenrick from backbench Tory MPs, who anonymously called for his resignation.

Bob Seely, Conservative MP


The Isle of Wight MP appeared to break lockdown rules at a barbecue also attended by the chairman of the Brexit party and political journalists. Seely went to the gathering hosted by the Spectator magazine’s deputy editor, Freddy Gray, in the village of Seaview in May 2020. He said he was unaware others would be present when he arrived for a meeting and followed social distancing guidance at all times.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×