WILTSHIRE Police has issued a statement after dozens gathered at Lydiard Park for the launch of a new grouping of independent councillor candidates.

More than 50 met outside the borough council-owned stately home this morning to mark the launch of the Independent Alliance. Few if any wore masks, there was little social distancing and people were shaking hands.

READ MORE: Independent Alliance launch election bid

Martin Costello, who is standing for election in Liden, Eldene and Park South, said the group had been meeting at the country park for the past six or seven weeks. A fortnight ago “over 100” people had been present.

He claimed the police had previously filmed the group. On Sunday morning, a pair of PCSOs were in the park but did not ask the group to move on. Mr Costello said Wiltshire Police had handled it “very well”.

He told the Adver: “We want to see more and more people coming out enjoying the freedom, enjoying the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine. That’s what life’s about, not being stuck holed up at home. They’ve ruined our kids’ lives for the last year, they’ve done untold damage to the mental health aspects of this, the elderly being isolated. This is not life, this is ridiculous.”

Police issue statement

In a statement, a Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Our officers attended the meeting at Lydiard Park this morning and were satisfied that those attending were following the latest Covid guidelines which now allows peaceful protests to take place, providing organisers take the required precautions to ensure people’s safety.

“We monitored the meeting and were satisfied that there were no breaches in these guidelines and no-one’s safety was at risk.”

Currently, the rules prevent more than 30 people from gathering outdoors. Protests are allowed under the legislation, as long as the gathering organiser takes the “required precautions”. These have previously included carrying out a risk assessment and taking all reasonable measures to limit the spread of the virus.