UK home secretary Priti Patel on Sunday (22) issued an open letter of gratitude to the country’s emergency services who are on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 200 lives in the country.
The letter addressed to the UK’s “incredible” emergency services, police officers and firefighters notes that the country is dealing with its greatest challenge since World War II.
“I know that you – our frontline police officers and firefighters – will be the glue holding us all together over the coming weeks and months. It is an honour to be associated with each and every one of you,” Patel said.
The letter, signed on behalf of the homeoffice, the government and the people of the United Kingdom, pledges that as the home secretary she would do “everything possible” to ensure they have the resources and powers required to keep communities safe.
“Our country is going to be tested. But I know that, if we all emulate your selflessness, compassion and commitment, there is nothing that we cannot overcome,” she said.
The letter comes as UK authorities are given extra powers to enforce strict social distancing rules after british prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all social venues to shut their doors from Friday.
“We have closed the schools, the pubs, the bars, the restaurants, the gyms, and we are asking people to stay and work at home if they possibly can… All of this is putting our country, and our society, under enormous strain,” he noted in his own open letter to the nation.
“Yes, this disease is forcing us apart — at least physically. But this epidemic is also the crucible in which we are already forging new bonds of togetherness and altruism and sharing,” he said.
The number of people who have died in the UK with coronavirus rose to 233 on Saturday, as cases topped 5,000. Johnson has warned that the UK may be just weeks away from the situation in Italy – the world’s worst hit country from the pandemic with a death toll of 4,825 – as the number of cases accelerate across Britain.
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)