header-logo header-logo

Above the law? Reflections on the Met Police decision not to prosecute Margaret Ferrier MP

21 October 2020 / Professor Dennis J Baker
Issue: 7907 / Categories: Opinion , Covid-19 , Criminal
printer mail-detail
29891
Is there a crime of wilfully exposing others to potentially lethal diseases? Professor Dennis J Baker reflects on the Met Police decision not to prosecute Margaret Ferrier MP

The focus of this comment is on what charges might be brought against those who deliberately and unjustifiably expose other members of the public to contagious diseases during a pandemic. This is an acutely important issue, because not only does such conduct expose others to the risk of death or serious illness, it has the potential to increase pressure on an already overextended NHS.

According to reports by the BBC, Ferrier tested for coronavirus on Saturday 26 September 2020. She had COVID-19 symptoms and thus had reason to believe she was COVID-19 positive, but attended church on Sunday 27 September 2020. Without waiting for her test results, on Monday she travelled from Scotland to London by train. After arriving in London and passing through busy train stations she attended parliament

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll