header-logo header-logo

Above the law? Reflections on the Met Police decision not to prosecute Margaret Ferrier MP

21 October 2020 / Professor Dennis J Baker
Issue: 7907 / Categories: Opinion , Covid-19 , Criminal
printer mail-detail
29891
Is there a crime of wilfully exposing others to potentially lethal diseases? Professor Dennis J Baker reflects on the Met Police decision not to prosecute Margaret Ferrier MP

The focus of this comment is on what charges might be brought against those who deliberately and unjustifiably expose other members of the public to contagious diseases during a pandemic. This is an acutely important issue, because not only does such conduct expose others to the risk of death or serious illness, it has the potential to increase pressure on an already overextended NHS.

According to reports by the BBC, Ferrier tested for coronavirus on Saturday 26 September 2020. She had COVID-19 symptoms and thus had reason to believe she was COVID-19 positive, but attended church on Sunday 27 September 2020. Without waiting for her test results, on Monday she travelled from Scotland to London by train. After arriving in London and passing through busy train stations she attended parliament

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
back-to-top-scroll