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Covid UK news: Johnson offers to end tier system in February, as over 150 arrested at anti-lockdown protests

 (PA)
(PA)

At least 155 people have been arrested for breaching coronavirus regulations, assaulting police officers and possession of drugs following anti-lockdown protests in central London.

The Metropolitan Police said it used early intervention methods to disperse the illegal gatherings and that those who did not go home were arrested or issued with a fixed penalty notice. Demonstrators booed at police and shouted “shame on you” as disorderly scenes unravelled.

The marches took place as it was confirmed that a further 479 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the UK’s total coronavirus fatalities to 58,030, according to figures have shown.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is believed to have offered MPs a “sunset clause” on new coronavirus rules due to be introduced in England next week, in an attempt to deter colleagues on his own backbenches from rebelling.

Furious Tory MPs had made it clear they would vote against plans to put 99 per cent of the country in Britain’s highest Covid tier restrictions, due to last until March. But the PM has said he will end the measures in February, if they agree to stand down.