People in Liverpool have called for the Deputy Mayor to resign after she had a gathering in her garden on her 50th birthday.
Labour councillor Lynnie Hinnigan, who became one of Joe Anderson's three Deputy Mayors in 2018, apologised after footage of the event emerged online but insisted it was not a party and that she stayed away from people and did not breach the current coronavirus guidelines.
Pictured and video of the event at Cllr Hinnigan's home earlier this month show at least 12 guests gathered in the councillor's garden, with a large number of chairs laid out.
She said the gathering was organised by her daughter after her celebrations were cancelled and that guests only travelled to her home to drop off gifts, but many across the city were outraged by her behaviour.
A number of them have even called for Hinnigan to resign from her post as Deputy Mayor.
But others defended her, questioning why it was OK to send children back to school but not socially distance in a garden.
On Facebook, Julie Harding said: "If my work said you must not cross that line and I crossed that line and then took pictures of me crossing the line and then lied and said it wasn't my doing I crossed that line I would be expected to resign or be sacked.
"Sorry but it's true."
Sue Kelly Squires also said: "She should resign. No one else has been allowed to have family or friends in their gardens. Lead by example."
Others explained how difficult the lockdown had been for themselves and their families, who haven't been able to see each other for weeks.
Irene Fortune said: "It's just not fair.
"Eleven weeks isolation for me and you see things like this.
"Well let's be honest she should resign, if not sacked.
"I've been holding up and then this week I've been really depressed seeing things like this.
"I want to hug my grand kids, my great granddaughter will be one next week and I've missed three months of her."
Liz Brown added: "I’d love nothing more than just having my mum in my garden, never mind 12 people.
"Whether a surprise or not, she’s an adult and knows the whole country is in lockdown.
"She should resign."
Speaking out about the incident, Cllr Hinnigan said: "I really wasn't aware that it was happening it was genuinely a surprise.
"Everyone is finding lockdown hard, not seeing family and friends, but everyone should still follow the rules, stay alert, stay safe and socially distance which is exactly what I told my daughter and the reason I never left the house.
"I am sorry if this has hurt anyone as it was never mine or my daughter's intention.
"Many other families in our city have struggled throughout this period, we still need to follow the guidance until we can meet face to face again."
And many agreed that she hadn't done anything wrong.
Dawn Jones said: "Loads of people are doing it, move on.
"Safe to send kids to school Monday but not OK to have social distance with friends and family."
Kate Burgan also said: "No different from going the supermarket where social distancing queuing to get in is great but it’s free for all inside.
"They’ve obviously attempted to practise social distancing outside. A little tiny bit of normality for a birthday celebration. Give the girl a break."
Under strict lockdown measures, everyone was ordered to stay home and not mix with others.
Under the current eased restrictions, which came in after Cllr Hinnigan's birthday party, gatherings of people in gardens are not permitted.
However you may sit in public with one person from another household if you stay two metres apart and there are only two of you.
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