Fines for breaking coronavirus laws have reportedly been issued to people who attended a leaving party for a senior official who helped shape the Government’s response to the pandemic. The Daily Telegraph reported that some of those at the farewell event for Kate Josephs, who was director-general of the Cabinet Office’s Covid-19 taskforce, have been handed fixed-penalty notices (FPNs).
The drinks event was held in the Cabinet Office on December 17 2020 at a time when London was under Tier 3 restrictions, banning indoor socialising. So far 20 fines have been issued following Scotland Yard’s investigation into alleged lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall.
Ms Josephs, who is on discretionary leave from her role as chief executive of Sheffield City Council, has not commented on the Telegraph report. In January, after news of the gathering emerged, she said she was “truly sorry” about the event.
