Boris Johnson in controversy after cycling 7 miles from home amid COVID restrictions

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cycling has been the subject of controversy for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. The Prime Minister cycled seven miles from home during the COVID-19 restriction time. Boris Johnson was spotted at the Olympic Park in east London on Sunday afternoon cycling with members of his security detail.

A woman who witnessed the incident said that: “He was leisurely cycling with another guy with a beanie hat and chatting while around four security guys, possibly more, cycled behind them. When I realised the person looked like Boris I cycled past them to hear his voice and be sure it’s him. It was definitely Boris. Considering the current situation with COVID, I was shocked to see him cycling around looking so care free.”

“Also considering he’s advising everyone to stay at home and not leave their area, shouldn’t he stay in Westminster and not travel to other boroughs?,” the woman added.

Journalist Sophia Sleigh tweeted that she saw the Prime Minister in the park. Labour MP for Hammersmith in west London Andy Slaughter condemned the Prime Minister. “London has some of the highest infection rates in the country. Boris Johnson should be leading by example,” he said.

The official code of conduct brought by the Prime Minister says that not everyone should leave the area to prevent an increase in coronavirus cases. It is in this context that the cycle travel controversy is taking place. The Downing Street spokesman did not respond on the matter in the Westminster briefing.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended the PM. The health secretary said the prime minister was wearing a Transport for London (TfL) hat and face mask during the cycle ride.

“Yes, you can go and exercise in the park with one other person, but only one other person. And we have been seeing large groups and that is not acceptable. And you should be two metres apart from the other person. If there are too many people breaking this rule then we are going to have to look at it,” Health Secretary said.

“But, I don’t want to do that because, for many people being able to go for a walk with a friend, that often is their only social contact. It is OK to go for a walk with one other person around a park, but you should stay two metres apart from that other person. And, likewise, it is OK, if you went for a long walk and ended up seven miles away from home, that is OK. But, you should stay local, you should not go from one side of a country to another, potentially taking the virus with you,” he added.

The government was embroiled in controversy last year against Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s then chief adviser, for allegedly violating lockdown rules. But Cummings had denied those allegations.