New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Science & Tech
  2. Coronavirus
20 May 2020updated 06 Oct 2020 9:45am

Patel plans to double maximum sentence for coughing at police officers

By Samuel Horti

Home Secretary Priti Patel wants to double the maximum sentence for anybody that coughs at a police officer, she has told LBC.

Currently, common assault on an emergency worker carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. 

She also confirmed the government would not sanction any councils that fail to reopen schools on 1 June, the date the government has set for some primary schools to reopen. At least a dozen councils have indicated they may not reopen schools on that date.

“First of all, we are not at the 1 June yet, we have time to work together,” she said, adding that she hoped for a “pragmatic solution”.

Content from our partners
Putting citizen experience at the heart of AI-driven public services
Skills policy and industrial strategies must be joined up
How the UK can lead the transition to net zero

Give a gift subscription to the New Statesman this Christmas from just £49