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Michael Gove has accused Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of “posing” and “political positioning” by refusing to accept the strict new COVID-19 rules.
The government is currently in a stalemate with Mr Burnham on whether his region should be moved to the highest alert level of the new three-tier system for locals. coronavirus confinements.
Before agreeing to tougher Level 3 restrictions, Burnham has called for increased financial assistance for businesses that would be affected by the measure, which would see bars and pubs closed, and likely other businesses.
Amid an increasingly bitter political dispute, Gove, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, risked further escalating tensions between the ministers and the mayor of Greater Manchester.
When asked if ministers would impose Level 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester even without an agreement, he told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday program: “I want to reach an agreement with the political leadership in Greater Manchester.
“I want you to put aside, for a moment, part of the political position to which you have given yourself.
“And I want you to work with us to ensure that we save lives and protect the NHS.
“Lack of action will mean that more people will get infected and as more people get infected, more pressure will be put on the NHS.”
“And the more people, sadly, in intensive care beds in the North West and in Manchester suffering from coronavirus, the fewer intensive care beds there are for people with other serious conditions.
“All of this is happening as we approach winter and instead of press conferences and posturing, what we need is action to save lives.”
