Victoria Derbyshire says sorry for saying she would ‘break’ rule of 6

Victoria Derbyshire

Victoria Derbyshire has apologised for saying she would “break” the government’s rule of six this Christmas.

The TV presenter – who has sons Oliver, 16, and Joe, 13, with her husband Mark Sandell – had said her family of four would be joined by her mum and her partner, and Mark’s dad, over the festive period, even if the regulations – which prohibit social gatherings of more than six people, including children, to try to stop the spread of coronavirus – are still in place.

She told the Radio Times magazine: “If the rule of six is still in place at Christmas, we’re breaking it to have the rule of seven. 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’ll be sensible and buy a thermometer gun. But we have to be together at Christmas.”

However, following the publication of the interview, Victoria took to Twitter this morning (27.10.20) to say sorry for her comments about rule-breaking, insisting that while she was being “hypothetical”, she was “totally wrong”.

She tweeted: “Good morning. I’m starting the day by saying I’m sorry: 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…. 1/2

“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 2/2 (sic)”