We'll Ban Exercise

Hancock's warning as sunbathers break rules.  Beach BBQ pair set to be first to be prosecuted

- Ben Glaze, Jeremy Armstrong & Adam Aspinall

Even going for a walk during lockdown may be banned due to rebels breaking the rules, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned.

He has threatened to prohibit exercising in public as he blasted people for sunbathing at the weekend.

His voice catching with emotion, Mr Hancock added he knows people who have died from Covid-19.

He said: “I’ve lost two people that I was fond of so I understand what a difficult time this is for the country.”

One was Britain’s deputy ambassador to Hungary, 37-year-old Steven Dick, who Mr Hancock has worked with. It is unclear who the second person was.

The Health Secretary said yesterday: “Sunbathing is against the rules that have been set out for important public health reasons.”

He added: “If you don’t want us to have to take the step to ban exercise of all forms outside of your own home then you’ve got to follow the rules...

“Let’s not have a minority spoiling it for everybody.” A couple who allegedly ignored lockdown rules to have a beach barbecue are set to become the first people prosecuted under the new Coronavirus Act.

Police say the pair were verbally abusive when confronted in Hove, East Sussex, at the weekend.

The duo refused to leave before police poured a helmet full of water over the smouldering coals.

Officers said a man, 31, and a woman, 48, both from Hove, have been reported for summons but have not yet been charged.

A police spokesman said: “The man was initially arrested after allegedly refusing to provide his details. He had a cough and asked officers for a mask so he didn’t cough on them.

“He was eventually de-arrested and returned home to self-isolate.

“Both will be summonsed to attend court in due course.”