COVID lockdowns were thrown into chaos after a mayor declared war on tough new restrictions - and vowed: "We will defy the government."
Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston fought back after Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the latest measures in a Commons address.
A ban on different households meeting will be introduced after a spike in infections.
It will be illegal to meet in settings, such as pubs and restaurants, in the Liverpool City Region, Warrington and Hartlepool.
Today's news means around 20million people across the UK are now living under local lockdown restrictions.
But Mr Preston vowed not to obey the new rules.
In an angry Twitter video he fumed: "We tried to communicate with govt but they didn’t listen.
Read more
New lockdown rules REJECTED by Middlesbrough Mayor saying ‘we will defy government’
www.thesun.co.uk/news/12818617/new-lockdown-rules-rejected-middlesborough/
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