Curfew comes under fire as crowds gather in streets once again

The 10pm curfew came under renewed fire this weekend as crowds once again gathered in the streets after hospitality businesses were forced to close their doors.

Images of people crowding onto streets and public transport emerged once again as pressure continues to mount on the government ahead of a vote on the curfew, planned for Wednesday.

Hospitality leaders expressed their frustration at the restrictions last week as they gave their backing to The Caterer’s Can the Curfew campaign. The campaign, which also has the backing of the London Evening Standard, calls on the government to reconsider the measure and let hospitality venues continue to provide safe environments for socialising, rather than forcing people into uncontrolled areas en masse.

The petition can be signed here.

As pressure continued to mount and amid reports a backbench revolt against the curfew is on the cards, health secretary Matt Hancock was forced to deny claims he broke the curfew by remaining in the Commons bar after 10pm.

The owner of the G-A-Y nightclub group has also confirmed it will proceed with a legal challenge to the 10pm hospitality curfew, claiming the government failed to provide scientific evidence to support it.