UK politicians vow to oppose use of ‘discriminatory’ Covid-19 passports
- Boris Johnson is considering using Covid-19 certification as part of trials to reopen large scale events such as sports matches
- But the opposition from across the political spectrum suggests the premier may struggle to get the measure through Parliament if he pursues it
More than 70 members of Parliament from three parties – including 41 from Johnson’s Tories – pledged to oppose the use of vaccine certificates, calling them “divisive and discriminatory.” They include former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat Party leader Ed Davey.
“We oppose the divisive and discriminatory use of Covid status certification to deny individuals access to general services, businesses or jobs,” the pledge reads, according to a statement on Friday from civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch.
The pledge came as it emerged the government is considering using Covid-19 certification as part of trials to reopen large scale events such as sports matches, concerts and conferences.
The opposition from across the political spectrum suggests the premier may struggle to get the measure through Parliament if he pursues it. The government is studying Covid-19 certification as a potential means to bolster confidence in returning to restaurants and entertainment venues while also helping to keep coronavirus cases under control.
The Telegraph late on Thursday reported that the government is set to trial passports showing a person’s Covid-19 status at sporting and cultural events within weeks.