Clubs to ask for vaccine passports after Govt accused of introducing them 'by stealth'

30 July 2021, 11:12 | Updated: 30 July 2021, 13:25

The government has been accused of creating covid app passports 'by stealth'
The government has been accused of creating covid app passports 'by stealth'. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Vaccine passports will be needed for 'close contact things' like going clubbing but not for going to shops or to the pub, the Transport Secretary has said.

Grant Shapps said today: "We won't go as far as requiring it to enter a shop or the pub, we will for very close contact things like going to nightclubs.

"I think there is precious little reason not to be vaccinated, every good reason to be vaccinated. Why wouldn't we want to save lives? It's just obvious to me."

READ MORE: Boris Johnson under pressure to allow double jabbed to escape isolation sooner

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, has called on the Prime Minister to recall Parliament to debate Covid ID cards.

JCVI member tells jab-refuser: 'You can't hope your way into immunity'

In a letter to Boris Johnson, Mr Davey accused the Prime Minister of introducing "Covid ID cards onto the nation’s phones by stealth, without even a whisper from Ministers or any scrutiny in Parliament".

He said the PM is "wasting money", giving "no clear guidance for businesses" and "bringing unnecessary anxiety to young people."

"It is deeply unsettling to see you and your government committing to vaccine passports by stealth," he wrote.

"This goes against all our country’s traditions and is utterly deceitful. Parliament must be recalled immediately.

"How businesses or indeed even churches will be expected to decide who can or cannot pass through their doors has not been made clear. This is a recipe for chaos and dissent on many doorsteps throughout England."

He went on to say "it would be a grotesque misuse of government diktat to introduce ID cards without any scrutiny, let alone a vote of MPs."

Some club nights are already demanding to be shown the NHS app as proof people have been fully vaccinated, before they are allowed entry.

Yesterday it emerged the wording on the app has been amended to now include a “domestic” section which states: “You may need to show your NHS Covid Pass at places that have chosen to use the service”.

The Government is set to make use of the app mandatory for some settings including nightclubs and large public events in the autumn, as officials prepare for the threat of a fourth Covid wave.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Met could lose 2,000 officers

Met Police could lose 2,000 officers as force's budget 'may be slashed by £450 million'

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor vows to appeal decision after civil jury finds he raped woman in hotel

The new advert was published this week.

Jaguar bosses hit back at ‘vile hatred and intolerance’ following new rebrand

UK prisoners could be sent to Poland after new talks.

'Detailed prison maps' leak on dark web as fears grow of jail escapes

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Two detained following Gatwick Airport bomb scare as police 'ramp up presence' in terminal

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor raped woman in hotel, civil jury finds, as she is awarded damages

Donald Trump

Donald Trump hush money sentencing postponed as judge says president-elect can seek dismissal

Backpacker Sarisha said the Nana Backpackers Hostel offered free alcohol in exchange for good reviews

Hostel at centre of 'mass methanol poisoning' offered free shots in exchange for good reviews, backpacker claims

Parents of British lawyer killed in Laos 'mass methanol poisoning' pay tribute to 'kind and loving daughter'

Parents of British lawyer killed in Laos 'mass methanol poisoning' pay tribute to 'kind and loving daughter'

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Gatwick South Terminal to reopen after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

Gatwick South Terminal reopens after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

London, UK. 22nd November 2024. Police cordon and firefighters on the scene at the Embassy of USA in London following a controlled explosion of a suspicious package. Credit: Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News

Police say US embassy 'suspect package' was probably a hoax after carrying out controlled explosion

Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight

Brits brace for Storm Bert: Met Office issues amber weather warning for snow - with up to 40cm set to fall

Harshita

'We will never forget you till our last breath': Family of Harshita Brella pay tribute - as manhunt continues for killer

Live
Gatwick airport.

LIVE: Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious item found'

Exclusive
Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, says rapper Fuse ODG

Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, rapper Fuse ODG tells LBC