MP makes no apologies for attempting to save lives after lifetime ban from pubs and bars

WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has hit back at a “lifetime ban” from town centre bars and pubs for supporting the Government’s 10pm curfew, saying he makes no apologies for attempting to reduce the number of deaths from COVID-19.

Members of the voluntary Warrington PubWatch scheme voted unanimously to impose the ban on Mr Carter for backing the curfew and showing no support for the hospitality sector when it was needed most.
But Mr Carter responded: “Making decisions to protect lives and livelihoods weighs heavy each day, having spoken to doctors at Warrington Hospital who were concerned they may not be able to cope I make no apologies for supporting steps which are designed to reduce the number of people who die as a result of Covid-19.
“I’ve received a number of messages from pubs in Warrington expressing their disgust at the approach taken by a small group of licensees and thanking me for my help and for the support Government has given to the hospitality sector such as grants, bounceback loans, furlough, eat out to help out, zero business rates and tax deferrals.
“Perhaps if some of those seeking to create a petty political statement had talked to the families of just some of the people in Warrington who have died of Covid-19 over the last eight months, as I have, they’d be a little more understanding as to why such decisions were taken.”
He went on to say that using the pub safety scheme for political aims had brought it “into disrepute”.
The “lifetime ban” on Mr Carter has barred him from around 30 venues in the town centre.
In the PubWatch banning letter it stated there had been “no credible evidence” provided by the Government to support such a detrimental restriction on the hospitality industry.
It went on to state that Mr Carter had shown “no support” for the industry at a time when it was needed most.
The 10pm curfew was introduced by the government to reduce social gatherings but has been criticised by the hospitality industry, which maintained venues were COVID safe and that early closing just encouraged more household mixing.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “Warrington Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation and its key aim is to help achieve a safe, secure and responsibly led social drinking environment in all licensed premises throughout the town and thereby reduce alcohol-related crime.
“While Cheshire Constabulary support the work of Pubwatch, we do not play any role in who is banned from entering any premises.”