Northern Ireland

Health minister dismisses claims he was forced by political opponents to dilute new restrictions

Health Minister Robin Swann
Health Minister Robin Swann Health Minister Robin Swann

HEALTH minister Robin Swann has insisted coronavirus restrictions his department recommended were not "knocked back" by Executive colleagues or that he was forced into introducing less stringent measures.

Mr Swann was responding to comments made by DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson who said his party leader and First Minister Arlene Foster had to rein in health service "technocrats" who wanted tougher rules imposed in limited areas with high virus rates.

New regulations and guidance were announced last Thursday for people socialising in Belfast, Ballymena and other areas where there has been a spike in the number of Covid cases.

In an interview with the BBC yesterday evening, Mr Swann insisted he had the full of the first and deputy first ministers in a concerted approach to slowing the spread of infection.

When asked if he was satisfied the new restrictions go as far as he and his department would like, Mr Swann replied: "Yes, I can say that categorically."

He added: "There was nothing that we suggested that was either knocked back or challenged."

In a tweet yesterday morning, Mr Swann also dismissed Mr Wilson's claims as "bogus".

Mr Wilson said on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "If the technocrats in the Department of Health and if some of the ministers in the Executive had had their way these restrictions would be far more severe and many businesses would be experiencing far, far greater difficulties as a result of them."

Meanwhile, at a Stormont briefing yesterday, Mrs Foster urged Stormont political colleagues to "wise up" and end hostile briefings about coronavirus.

The DUP leader said Northern Ireland had reached a tipping point in the battle against Covid-19.

"Everybody should wise up. We are dealing with huge issues in the Executive."

"People should stop briefing against each other. We are supposed to be in a five-party coalition dealing with all of these issues and that is what I hope we do moving forward."

The new regulations relate to household visits and gatherings in gardens.

People living in Ballymena town and postcode areas BT43, BT28 and BT29 have also been given guidance discouraging non-essential journeys outside the affected zones.

There will also be new legally enforceable social restrictions, with residents in these areas barred from visiting other households.

There are a number of limited exceptions, including childcare provision and households that have formed a social bubble with another.

No more than six people, from no more than two households, are allowed to meet in private gardens.

A spokesman for Justice Minister and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long also cast doubt on Mr Wilson's version of events.

She said: "We don't discuss the ins and outs of Executive business. Those who do should make more effort to be accurate."

A spokesman for the SDLP said: "The comments made by Sammy Wilson have no basis in reality.

"The SDLP has argued for clarification of the restrictions, not further restrictions.

"The DUP should explain why one of its MPs is relating false reports from Executive meetings."