A council leader from Yorkshire has received backlash after issuing a “stay home” warning to constituents while on holiday in the Maldives.
Following the recent surge in coronavirus cases in England, Richmondshire District Council leader Angie Dale told residents to “heed the stay local message” said in a press release sent out on Friday (January 8).
“The number of Covid cases is rising dramatically every day and we are told we haven’t reached the peak yet, so it is vitally important that people heed the stay local message,” read the joint press release from Mrs Dale’s Richmondshire District Council, Craven District Council and North Yorkshire police.
However, it has now emerged Angie Dale and her family were on the Maldivian island of Kudahuvadhoo when the warning was issued.
As Mrs Dale reportedly left for the Maldives before England was put into national lockdown, it is understood she has not broken any rules but opposition members have criticised her for her “hypocrisy”.
Councillor Leslie Rowe, leader of The Green Party and Independent group on the authority, said: “It seems to me to be the height of hypocrisy to be issuing that press release when in the Maldives, having flown from Manchester which I believe meant moving from a Tier 3 to Tier 4 area in itself.
“I don’t know who would go on holiday to the Maldives at this time of such severe Covid crisis, there are so many people catching it at the moment.
“As the leader of a district council she should be setting an example for the rest of us.
“I personally would not dream of going on holiday at a time of national crisis.”