Two Merseyside Labour Councillors have been suspended from duties after breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules. While the city’s Deputy Labour Mayor has ‘stepped down’ voluntarily from her role pending an investigation into her behaviour.
Councillors Barry Kushner and Joann Kushner were photographed flouting COVID lockdown rules.by holding a gathering with multiple family members on land by their home in Allerton over the early May Bank Holiday when the strictest lockdown rules were in place.
The same weekend saw a 50th birthday event at the home of Deputy Mayor Lynnie Hinnigan, with large number of people gathered in her garden. Councillor Hinnigan insists that these people only dropped off presents and she stayed away from them. It is rumored that she went on an eye test road trip to Barnard Castle.
A Council spokesperson said: “Given the unique circumstances presented by the COVID Pandemic, and the rules and guidance around lockdown, elected officials should show greater awareness of how their actions will be perceived by the public, regardless of the specific and individual circumstances of the incident.”
Lib Dem Opposition Leader in Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp had called for action against both figures. He said: “It was vital for the City that this happened because without it our ability to criticise the clear incompetence of the Government would have been impeded. It is also vital that swift action is taken when elected representatives of any Party transgress clear guidelines for behaviour at this crucial time.”
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