Matt Hancock summoned to High Court to justify opening stores

Why can’t pubs and restaurants open at the same time as “non-essential” stores? Matt Hancock was sentenced in the High Court for the ruling, following legal action by Sacha Lord and Hugh Osmond. the Telegraph has history.

 Matt Hancock summoned  to the High Court on Tuesday for justifying why he is allowing non-essential shops to open before pubs and restaurants.

The lawsuit was brought by nightclub operator Sacha Lord and Pizza Express founder Hugh Osmond in an attempt to force the early opening of hospitality venues.

According to High Court documents viewed by the Telegraph, the pair are challenging “the 2021 health protection regulations (coronavirus, restrictions) (stages) (England) as these regulations provide for the reopening of retail businesses non-essential before indoor hospitality companies ”. .

Judge Swift’s order states that “the secretary of state shall file Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 10 a.m. and serve his response to the couple’s request.”

Although Mr Hancock has been summoned to the High Court, it is likely that officials from his department will have to appear in court on his behalf.

“Non-essential” stores will be able to open from April 12, while hospitality businesses will have to remain closed until at least May 17. Mr Osmond said the case offers “some hope … to those of us who cherish British freedom and yearn for a return to rational and democratic government”. He continued:

In a democracy, evidence and rationality should always matter, as should transparency, challenge and accountability.

The government was offered a privileged place in Parliament, the official opposition being nowhere to be found.

This has led to arbitrariness, to chance, and to a complete lack of logic in the rules, and we are starting to see it come with something even more sinister: arrogance and the feeling that ministers are over- above all review.

The government has left us with no choice but to take the matter to court and whatever the final outcome of the matter, I thank Justice Swift (whose name seems so apt) for acknowledging that ‘this is a truly urgent issue affecting the lives of millions of people. people, it just can’t wait.

the Telegraphs report is worth reading in its entirety.

Stop the press: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has congratulated Sacha Lord and Hugh Osmond on Twitter for forcing the Minister of Health to justify the opening of non-essential businesses, but not indoor hospitality businesses, in court.