Laurence Fox hit out at Lambeth Council in view of his 183,000 Twitter followers yesterday, after they confirmed that Brockwell Park would be closed today to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The actor disagreed with their decision, which came after more than 3,000 congregated there, some even “sunbathing” on Saturday.
The 41-year-old angrily slammed the move as “beyond authoritarian”, highlighting not everyone has there own private outside space they can use.
However, his words were not well recieved by many, saying people simply “shouldn’t be in groups”.
One claimed they “didn’t expect this” from him, while another said he was “seriously wrong” with his posts.
Lambeth Council had initially written to their own 29,000 followers on their official Twitter page: “Despite clear advice, over 3,000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups.
“This is unacceptable.”
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They continued: “”Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now means that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome.”
Within two hours Laurence had slammed the decision and claimed the rules didn’t make sense.
He responded: “Ok. F**k this. This is beyond authoritarian. Not everyone has a garden. People have to go outside.
“Beware the sunbathing police. Walking outside – Fine. Running outside – Fine. Sitting outside – Evil virus spreading b******s! I mean come on.”
Another echoed this, writing: “They shouldn’t be in groups, we were told yesterday it was for exercise not sunbathing.
“I want to see my grandkids this year, pull your neck in and get behind the message, stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS, how f***ing hard is that?”
A third tweeted: “I agree with pretty much everything you post but on this one you are seriously wrong.
“Sunbathing is not exercise and meeting up in groups goes against every bit of advice that we’re getting from the government and the medical and scientific experts. Retract your tweet Laurence.”
“Sorry. Wrong. For a few weeks it should not be beyond anyone not to sunbathe in the bl**dy park,” another post told him.
One person did point out: “We live in a 2nd floor flat with nothing but a shared concrete drying area. What does he expect us to do?”
Laurence went on retweet rota suggestions from MP Harriet Harman first, then presenter Nick Robinson.
The latter tweeted: “Has any council or any country tried the idea of rotas – rather than closures – for parks? Being locked down in a small flat with no balcony or garden is a very very big ask.”
