Covid-19: MP Claims 'Outrage' at Dropped Charge for 150-Guest Funeral
In the News
An MP has highlighted "widespread outrage" over the failure to prosecute anyone over a funeral allegedly attended by up to 150 mourners.
The event took place at a church in Kettering, Northamptonshire, during the second lockdown in November.
A man was charged with a breach of Covid rules, but the case was this week dropped due to lack of evidence.
Speaking in Parliament, Kettering MP Philip Hollobone called it "a clear and flagrant breach" of regulations.
The funeral for 47-year-old Joe Rooney, who had died in a crash, was held at a Catholic church in the town centre on 9 November.
It was described by Northamptonshire Police at the time as showing a "blatant disregard" for the 30-person limit, with officers sent to the funeral procession and road blocks put in place.
Police said they would issue a £10,000 fine, with Chief Constable Nick Adderley commenting that he sympathised but "no-one is above the law".
The man charged appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it received the case file that morning and "after careful review" could not prosecute for any offence due to a lack of evidence from police.
You would think the priest who held the service would know better. If our own Queen can abide by the rules, given her privileged position, then so should Joe Bloggs.
So the CPS not reviewing the case correctly or the Police not providing enough evidence, ridiculous. Why did the police block the roads when they knew what was happening was illegal !
Lack of evidence , unbelievable 
. Bold as brass - not as if they snuck in the back door at 3 am - All 150 of them + two coaches and horses in broad daylight ?
It was dropped because of lack of evidence? or was it dropped because it was the gypsy traveller community?
That’s more like it and expecting trouble if fined, which they should all be paying for breaking the law.
Never had a problem with LD with saying what I think (as I frequently do 
) . OK I have browned off a few members in my time (who appear to bear a juvenile grudge !) . But I always keep my comments and criticisms within the guidelines . If the truth hurts ... so be it .
I total bewildered by this, police know there was more than the 30 , the church would know this.People will have photos and then the Cps say insufficient evidence .I am perplexed what they need to secure convictions.
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