Victoria Derbyshire backtracks on Christmas rule-breaking comments

Victoria Derbyshire has apologised for saying she would ignore coronavirus restrictions and break the rule of six in order to celebrate with her family at Christmas.

The BBC presenter and fixture of the corporation’s daytime Covid-19 coverage previously said she would flout the prohibition if it is still in place during the festive period.

Government guidance has stipulated that no more than six people from different households can gather in the same place.

In an interview with Radio Times, Ms Derbyshire said that should the rule still apply at Christmas her family will be “breaking it”, flatly stating that “we just are” despite the threat of police action and thousands of pounds in fines.

But on Tuesday she backtracked on her comments, stating they were "hypothetical".

"I’m starting the day by saying I’m sorry," she tweeted. "A few weeks ago the Radio Times asked me (amongst other things) what would potentially happen at Christmas with my own family if the rule of six was still in place.

"I talked about my mum, her partner & my dad-in-law spending it with us - making seven in our home in a Tier One area (medium).

"It was hypothetical - however I was totally wrong to say it & I’m sorry.

"We’ll of course continue to follow whatever rules are in place on Dec 25th."

During the original interview, she said that despite it seeming “irresponsible” she intended to gather round the table with her elderly relatives regardless of guidelines after being reduced to Zoom calls with her mother.

The Bafta-winning journalist said she and her husband simply “need to see” their respective parents whatever the situation, and will even buy a thermometer gun to ensure they do so safely.

On Monday, the BBC declined to comment on the declared intentions of one its most high-profile presenters.

Ms Derbyshire has been at the forefront of the corporation’s daily coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, and kept viewers informed about the latest changes in restrictions.

She has also raised concerns about the impact of tight lockdown rules on victims of domestic abuse confined with their partners

“If the rule of six is still in place at Christmas, we’re breaking it to have the rule of seven,” she told Radio Times magazine. “We just are.”

“Joining me, my husband and our two boys will be my mum, her partner and my husband’s dad. It’s fine.

“We’ll do it knowing what the risks are. We’re not stupid.  We’re going to be sensible and buy a thermometer gun.

“But we have to be together at Christmas.

“It feels almost irresponsible saying that, but I don’t think we’re alone in feeling that way.

“We need to see my elderly mum and my husband’s elderly dad. We just do.”

Ms Derbyshire has shared her determination despite the financial penalties involved for both her and those who are invited to dine at Christmas.

The presenter is fully up to speed with the latest restrictions, reporting on the frequent changes in guidelines on a near-daily basis for the BBC despite her own self-titled programme being axed earlier in the year.

Such restrictions give the police the right to disperse gatherings such as her Christmas dinner, and issue fines up to £3,200 in the case of repeat offences.

While being immersed in the day-to-day coverage of the pandemic on a professional level, the present has also grappled with its pressure personally.

She has said that what misses most about life before the pandemic is the presence of family and friends at her house.

The Lancashire-born presenter said that her elderly mother still resides in the north west, and the pair have been painfully separated by the virus.

“My mum lives in Bolton, I live in London, so I’ve not been able to see her much,” she said.  “We do Zoom calls every Saturday, but that’s it. It’s mad.”

Ms Derbyshire could face police action if the rules remain in place over Christmas and she chooses to ignore them, with recent for Covid-19 breaches ranging from £1,000 to £10,000.

The presenter has previously raised personal concerns about the UK’s lockdown, opening up on her own childhood experience of domestic abuse, and exploring how victims have been made more vulnerable due to virus restrictions in a Panorama special for the BBC.