POLICE have today charged a sacked estate agent over a video that showed Chris Whitty being manhandled.
Lewis Hughes, 23, had taken part in an anti-lockdown rally when he approached England's Chief Medical Officer on Sunday and harassed him with friend Jonathan Chew.
Hughes has now been charged with common assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 30.
It is not clear if his pal will be facing any police action.
Scotland Yard said: "Detectives investigating an incident that took place in St James's Park on Sunday, 27 June have charged a man. At approximately 19:20hrs on Sunday, 27 June officers in St James’s Park became aware of a man being accosted by a group of men.
"They spoke to the victim and checked his welfare. He had not suffered any injuries. Officers subsequently reviewed video footage which emerged after the incident and the matter was referred to the Public Order Crime Team. Enquiries continue."
Read our Coronavirus blog below for the latest news and updates...
- Joseph Gamp
IRELAND: NO NEW DEATHS FROM COVID BUT 512 POSITIVE CASES
The Department of Health has confirmed 512 more positive cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
The latest figures show there are 46 people in hospital with the virus, including 14 in intensive care.
No more deaths have been reported.
- Joseph Gamp
MAPPED: FIVE AREAS WHERE COVID CASES ARE RISING FASTEST
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CHRIS WHITTY ‘ATTACKER’ CHARGED BY COPS
Police have today charged a sacked estate agent over a video that showed Chris Whitty being manhandled.
Lewis Hughes, 23, had taken part in an anti-lockdown rally when he approached England’s Chief Medical Officer on Sunday.
Footage showed him and a pal grabbing Professor Whitty and appearing to put him in a headlock as he tried to escape.
Hughes has now been charged with common assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 30.
- Joseph Gamp
COVID CASES DOUBLE IN WEEK TO ‘UNSETTLING’ LEVELS BUT R-RATE FALLS
The rate at which the disease is spreading, the official R rate, has dropped.
Sage scientists, who report to the Government, said today the R rate for England was 1.1 to 1.3, and as high as 1.6 in the South West.
Last week Sage said the R rate was between 1.2 and 1.4.
The Government says the estimates are a better reflection of the situation three weeks ago because of a delay in gathering data.
More up-to-date figures show around one in 260 people had Covid in the week to June 26 – up from one in 440 in the previous week.
- Joseph Gamp
EUROPE RISKS NEW MUTANT COVID WAVE SPARKED BY ‘SUPER SPREADER’ EURO 2020
Europe faces a new wave of Covid infections as the WHO warns Euro 2020 fans could be super-spreaders of a new “Delta-plus” strain.
Top health officials in Russia warn spectators could be helping to spread the new variant after many tested positive on return from matches.
Covid-19 infections in Europe increased 10 per cent in one week, the World Health Organization says.
Russia witnessed its deadliest 72 hours in weeks, registering 672 deaths and 23,453 new cases on Thursday alone.
Euro 2020 host city St Petersburg recorded 115 deaths just hours before Spain and Switzerland were set to kick-off their group stage match at Gazprom Arena.
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WATCH: ANGELA MERKEL SAYS DOUBLE JABBED BRITS WILL BE ALLOWED INTO EUROPE
Angela Merkel U-turns over EU holiday ban threat in boost for foreign hols after jetting in for talks with PM
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TRAVELLING FOOTBALL FANS 'VERY CLEARLY' LINKED TO SPIKE IN COVID
The rise in positive coronavirus tests in Scotland is "very clearly" linked to Scotland fans travelling to London for the Euro 2020 match against England, a public health expert has said.
Martin McKee, professor of European public health was asked if the Euros tournament was "acting as some kind of super-spreader with the number of fans that have been travelling around the continent".
Prof McKee told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday: "I think you in Scotland know very clearly that that is the case.
"We can see very clearly in the Scottish data, because the increase coincides very much with what you would expect with the incubation period after the match but also the gender difference, because the cases, the increases seem much greater in men than in women."
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ANGELA MERKEL SAYS DOUBLE JABBED BRITS WILL BE ALLOWED INTO EUROPE AS SHE U-TURNS ON TRAVEL BAN
The German leader climbed down from demands for mandatory EU-wide quarantine having been snubbed by tourism hotspots.
Speaking at a press conference alongside the PM at Chequers, she said: "We are continuously reviewing our travel restrictions.
"In the foreseeable future those who have received double jabs will be able to travel again without having to go into quarantine.
She added: "We adopted certain protective measures when we were not as yet so familiar with a Delta variant.
"We now see the share of the delta variant in Germany is increasing very rapidly."
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MUM OF CHRIS WHITTY YOB ‘NOT OVERJOYED’ BY SON’S BEHAVIOUR AS SHE APOLOGISES
The mum of a yob filmed grabbing Chris Whitty has revealed she was not "overjoyed" by his behaviour but apologised on his behalf.
Jonathan Chew and pal Lewis Hughes, both 24, were branded "thugs" by the PM after they were filmed manhandling England’s chief medical officer.
Shocking footage then showed them putting Prof Whitty in a headlock as he desperately tried to get away.
Natasha, 49, told Mail Online: "First and foremost I would like to apologise for any distress that the incident may have caused Mr Whitty.
"My son and his friend had been enjoying their day, having a few social drinks together when they spotted Mr Whitty.
"Realising who he was, and understanding how important he is to our country at this very moment, they wanted to get a picture with him."
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PLANS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE ‘WILL SEE BRITS FACING FIVE WINTERS OF COVID RESTRICTIONS’
A draft blueprint created for ministers suggests a number of policies to help prevent future waves of infection from overwhelming the NHS.
Measures could include working from home temporarily or a limit on indoor gatherings, according to the Daily Mirror.
Officials reportedly believe that the plan could prevent another full lockdown after all adults have been double jabbed, and ministers will be able to pick and choose measures depending on the scale of pressure on hospitals.
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DELTA VARIANT (Continued…)
Responding to the latest figures on the Delta variant, Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Cases across the UK continue to rise and it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful.
“The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we love is to get the vaccine if eligible, get tested twice a week and practise ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.
“Although cases are rising, we are not seeing a proportional rise in the number of people who are being admitted to hospital. The data suggest this is testament to the success of the vaccination programme so far and clearly demonstrates the importance of getting both doses of the vaccine.”
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DELTA VARIANT
A total of 161,981 confirmed and probable cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have now been identified in the UK, according to the latest figures from Public Health England – up by 50,824, or 46%, on the previous week.
Of the 161,981 cases, 148,538 have been in England, 10,185 in Scotland, 1,749 in Wales and 1,509 in Northern Ireland.
The Delta variant continues to account for approximately 95% of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the UK.
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NEW SPAIN RULES
Only Brits which have been fully vaccinated, with the second jab at least two weeks prior to travelling, can avoid having the tests.
Spain was one of the only destinations which welcomed UK holidaymakers with no restrictions on arrival.
However, the new rules were announced earlier this week, in line with other European destinations, due to the threat of the Delta variant.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that any Brits entering the country would be like the "rest of European citizens".
Mr Sánchez said: "The cumulative incidence rate in the United Kingdom has been progressing negatively during these last few weeks. It is far above 150 cases [per 100,000 inhabitants] in 14 days, and that is why we have to take an additional precaution with respect to the arrival of British tourists to our country."
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EUROPE RISKS NEW MUTANT COVID WAVE SPARKED BY ‘SUPER SPREADER’ EURO 2020
Europe faces a new wave of Covid infections as the WHO warns Euro 2020 fans could be super-spreaders of a new "Delta-plus" strain.
Top health officials in Russia warn spectators could be helping to spread the new variant after many tested positive on return from matches.
Covid-19 infections in Europe increased 10 per cent in one week, the World Health Organization says.
Russia witnessed its deadliest 72 hours in weeks, registering 672 deaths and 23,453 new cases on Thursday alone.
Euro 2020 host city St Petersburg recorded 115 deaths just hours before Spain and Switzerland were set to kick-off their group stage match at Gazprom Arena.
- [email protected]
COVID CASES DOUBLE IN WEEK TO ‘UNSETTLING’ LEVELS BUT R-RATE FALLS
The rate at which the disease is spreading, the official R rate, has dropped.
Sage scientists, who report to the Government, said today the R rate for England was 1.1 to 1.3, and as high as 1.6 in the South West.
Last week Sage said the R rate was between 1.2 and 1.4.
The Government says the estimates are a better reflection of the situation three weeks ago because of a delay in gathering data.
More up-to-date figures show around one in 260 people had Covid in the week to June 26 – up from one in 440 in the previous week.
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ANGELA MERKEL TO CLIMBDOWN OVER EU HOLIDAY BAN THREAT
Angela Merkel is set to U-turn on her threat to ban Brits from holidaying in Europe after jetting in for talks with Boris Johnson today.
The German leader is on the cusp of climbing down from demands for mandatory EU-wide quarantine having been snubbed by tourism hotspots.
She is meeting the PM at his country house Chequers, with the pair set to hold a joint press conference at 3.30pm.
The visit is her 22nd to Britain and last as Chancellor after 16 years at the helm in Berlin.
Ahead of the talks both sides agreed to rebuild relations which have been strained by five years of Brexit tensions.
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BORIS JOHNSON ANNOUNCEMENT: WHEN TIME IS THE PM’S SPEECH TODAY, FRIDAY, JUNE 2?
Boris Johnson’s joint press conference is scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm today, Friday June 2, 2021.
The two leaders are meeting at the PM’s country house Chequers beforehand.
It will be Merkel’s last visit to Britain before standing down as Chancellor.
UK-EU travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be high on the agenda.
Merkel had called for the EU member countries to ban all UK travellers from the bloc, regardless of vaccination status.
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DAD, 47, LEFT GASPING FOR BREATH IN HOSPITAL AFTER CATCHING COVID DESPITE BEING JABBED
Tony Grimes has now warned others not to become complacent after having their jab as he says he "thought he was a gonner".
The 47-year-old described himself as "fit and healthy", but was diagnosed with Covid a week a go.
He was due to receive his second dose of his vaccine tomorrow but has been left struggling to breath, hooked up to oxygen.
Experts have previously explained that you can catch Covid after having a vaccine.
The NHS states: "The 1st dose should give you some protection from 3 or 4 weeks after you've had it. But you need 2 doses for stronger and longer-lasting protection.
"There is a chance you might still get or spread Covid-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to continue to follow all social distancing guidance."
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5 MILLION BRITS TO BE ‘BLOCKED FROM EURO HOLIDAYS
Five million Brits face being blocked from Euro holidays because their Astra-Zeneca jabs are not recognised by the EU, a report says.
Millions of AZ vaccines administered in the UK do not qualify for the bloc’s passport scheme because they were manufactured in India.
The EU does not recognise a version of the AZ jab called Covishield produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
The shots – administered to some five million Brits – are yet to be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which regulates vaccinations in the bloc, the Daily Telegraph.
It comes as a bitter blow to Brits’ holiday hopes – leaving millions potentially turned away at EU border crossings when their batch numbers on their vaccine passports are scanned.
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HOSPITAL APOLOGISES TO WOMAN WHO WAS UNABLE TO VISIT DYING SON
A hospital has apologised to a woman who was prevented from seeing her dying son in his final weeks.
Ollie Bibby, 27, of South Benfleet in Essex, died of leukaemia on May 5 at University College London Hospital (UCLH). The hospital has pledged to review how it implements national visiting guidance during the pandemic.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer raised the case at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, noting that Mr Bibby died the day before CCTV footage captured then-health secretary Matt Hancock breaching social distancing rules in an embrace with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Mr Bibby’s family and friends were unable to spend time with him and when he was in hospital he begged to see his family, Mr Starmer told the Commons. He said they followed the rules and only one member of his family was allowed to see him.
Mr Bibby’s mother, Penny Bibby, said: “I’m livid. We did everything we were told to do and the man who made the rules didn’t. How can that be right?”
In his response, Prime Minister Boris Johnson referred to Mr Hancock’s resignation as a “Westminster bubble” issue.
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TORY BACKBENCHERS DEMAND RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER JULY 19
Almost 50 Tory MPs have written to Boris Johnson to demand schools “go back to normal” when lockdown restrictions in England are lifted – set for July 19.
Former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith is among 48 MPs who have signed a letter saying the current policy on self-isolation was causing “unnecessary and significant disruptions”.
They said it was “vital that all schools go back to normal from July 19 when restrictions lift, even if just for the last few days of term”.
They added: “This will send an important signal ahead of the autumn that the route to freedom is a ‘one way road’ and genuinely ‘irreversible’.”
Other signatories include former cabinet minister Esther McVey and the Commons Education Select Committee chairman Robert Halfon.
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STATE OF PINT
Pub bosses want Covid rules relaxed to pack in punters for England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final on Saturday.
Hospitality chiefs are urging the government to ease social distancing restrictions for the crunch tie with Ukraine.
Thousands of Brits will hit the pub for Saturday’s game as the country roars on Gareth Southgate’s boys.
The 2-0 win over Germany has sent the country into footie fever pitch, sparking a scramble for pub table bookings.
Patrick Dardis, chief executive of brewery Young’s, which runs 270 pubs, told The Telegraph: “The appetite is huge.”
He added: “We will not be able to meet the demand due to the Freedom Day delay, unless the Prime Minister gives dispensation for the next one, two, or even better three England games, given 1966 was England’s last success.”
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POSITIVE NEW DATA FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON SINGLE-SHOT COVID-19 VACCINE AGAINST DELTA VARIANT
Positive news as Johnson & Johnson single shot Covid vaccine has proved effective against the rapidly growing Delta variant.
Mathai Mammen, Global Head, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson has said:
"Current data for the eight months studied so far show that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generates a strong neutralizing antibody response that does not wane; rather, we observe an improvement over time."
"In addition, we observe a persistent and particularly robust, durable cellular immune response."
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CHRIS WHITTY ‘ATTACKER’ CHARGED BY COPS
Police have today charged a sacked estate agent over a video that showed Chris Whitty being manhandled.
Lewis Hughes, 23, had taken part in an anti-lockdown rally when he approached England's Chief Medical Officer on Sunday.
Footage showed him and a pal grabbing Professor Whitty and appearing to put him in a headlock as he tried to escape.
Hughes has now been charged with common assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 30.
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