Councillor quits after breach of Covid rules
The deputy cabinet member for public health and sport at Coventry City Council has resigned from his role after photos emerged of him breaking public health rules at a restaurant the night before national lockdown.
Rois Ali was pictured sitting with friends from different households at an Indian restaurant the night before the lockdown started, while tier two restrictions were in force.
The rules banned people from different households from meeting indoors.
In a statement announcing his resignation Cllr Ali said he was attending a business meeting but that he should have “lead by example” in following the rules.
He said: “I have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to support local businesses who are facing an uncertain future but I have reflected carefully on the Coventry Catering Business Association meeting I attended on Wednesday as I realise that I failed to follow the tier 2 guidance in place across the city.
“I want to apologise for this. I did not mean to undermine the work of the council or the people of Coventry as I know how important it is that we all do our bit to limit the spread of Covid-19. I appreciate that I should lead by example.
“Although I have resigned from the cabinet, I will continue to serve the people of Cheylesmore and the wider city.”
Ali is the third councillor at Coventry City Council to resign his cabinet member role for breaking coronavirus rules.
In September, John Mutton stepped down from his role as cabinet member for finance and resources after breaching coronavirus quarantine rules.
The same month, Tariq Khan resigned as cabinet member for housing and communities after he was filmed breaking social distancing rules at a large gathering in Foleshill.
