Travel bosses slam Priti policy ‘disaster’

PRITI Patel is ‘presiding over an economic disaster’ and should resign if the quarantine policy proves unlawful, hundreds of travel and hospitality bosses will say today.

More than 400 industry leaders have written to the Home Secretary to say they have ‘lost confidence’ in her abilities following her decision to push through the 14day quarantine rule for all arriving passengers.

Signatories include hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, the heads of The Savoy, Ritz and Dorchester hotels, and the bosses of TGI Fridays, Club Med and Mark Warner holidays.

Their letter, which was sent yesterday afternoon, says: ‘With the greatest respect Home Secretary, you are presiding over an economic disaster that will soon be on an epic scale.

‘Under your leadership, the Home Office has made no effort to engage with the many business owners who could have assisted your team to understand the real consequences.’ It adds: ‘Many in the leadership of the travel and hospitality sector have lost confidence in you. I’m sure you’ll agree that the honourable thing to do, if the quarantine measures are found to be unlawful, will be to resign.’

The quarantine policy was branded a ‘national embarrassment’ last week as BA, EasyJet and Ryanair launched legal action, accusing the Government of failing to consult the industry over the ‘discriminatory’ plans.

The measures, which were not approved by the Government’s SAGE committee of scientists, are costing the economy an estimated £650million a week. A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We are supporting tourism businesses through one of the most generous economic packages in the world and continue to look at options to increase international travel when

it is safe to do so.’