Home Office defends ‘amazingly cringe’ coronavirus laws crackdown video

The advert claims ‘meeting up is against the law’
April Roach @aprilroach2819 February 2021

The Home Office has defended an “amazingly cringe” lockdown advert which was accused of “grossly” misstating coronavirus rules. 

The advert was shared on Twitter by the Home Office with a caption which stated: “All gatherings are currently against the law”.

It also features footage of police raiding house parties as it warns people not to break lockdown rules because “meeting up is against the law”.

Slogans such as “you shouldn’t go to raves” and “you shouldn’t make your own pub” are shown to the backdrop of loud dance music.

Social media users were quick to point out that several exceptions permit some gatherings, with some slamming the advert as “amazingly cringe”, “misleading” and “poorly made”.

Its style was also compared to an advert for sci-fi show Black Mirror. Some mocked the advert for its drum and bass soundtrack and jagged, flashing lettering reminiscent of the Federation Against Copyright Theft anti-piracy advert in the early 2000s which was famously parodied in comedy The IT Crowd.

Lawyers also complained about the language used in the video and called for the footage to be corrected or removed.

Adam Wagner, a human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers who has been interpreting coronavirus laws for the public on social media, said on Twitter: “Oh my goodness. I’m not sure where to start.

“This is the Home Office, the government department responsible for law and order.

“This tweet and video grossly misstate the law. All gatherings are *not* illegal.

“There are a huge number gatherings which *are* legal…”

Parties and most other social gatherings are currently illegal in England under lockdown laws but there are exceptions for people meeting, including for work, volunteering, helping vulnerable people and to attend support groups.

Mr Wagner described the post as “legally illiterate”, warning :“It could lead to people misunderstanding … It should be removed”. He added: “I have no issue with the Home Office advertising that gatherings indoors for parties are currently illegal – but this isn’t the way to do it.”

When asked about concerns over the confusion the post and video could cause regarding the law, a Home Office spokeswoman said the video referred to “illegal social gatherings which should not be taking place”, adding: “We make absolutely no apologies for encouraging people to follow the rules during a global pandemic.”

The spokeswoman declined to comment further when asked whether any changes would be made to the post and video in light of the concerns raised and would not confirm if the wording had been approved by senior officials.

It comes after Home Secretary Priti Patel was accused of adding to confusion around the laws after appearing to become muddled on them twice in a week.

Last month she said people should exercise alone, despite the rules permitting activity with a friend, which was later corrected by Downing Street.

Days earlier at a Number 10 press conference, she said that “outdoor recreation” is permitted in a “restricted and limited way” – despite it being prohibited during the lockdown – moments after insisting the coronavirus rules are “actually very simple and clear”. Aides later said she misspoke.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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