Welsh Government corrects Robert Peston over England-centric reporting

The Welsh Government has corrected the ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston after he repeatedly referred to a “national” lockdown when he meant England.

“PM is addressing nation at 8 tonight. Parliament to be recalled Wednesday. Tough national lockdown to be announced,” the journalist tweeted.

“PM will be directly addressing the nation. It won’t be a press conference. Tier 4 restrictions will be imposed everywhere. Schools closed. No more team games in parks. But outdoor exercise will still be allowed.”

The Welsh Government, which has already imposed a Tier 4 lockdown on all of Wales since before Christmas, took the journalist to task. “National” = “England” they said.

“national” = “England” https://t.co/9ekZyvPzDZ

— Welsh Government (@WelshGovernment) January 4, 2021

Robert Peston has links with Wales and in 2011 was honoured as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University in recognition of his success in journalism and his contribution to the local community.

‘Wrong’

This isn’t the first time the government has taken to social media to correct issues in both the British press and statements by companies.

In October they took Tesco to task after the supermarket claimed that selling period products was banned under Wales’ firebreak lockdown restrictions.

Welsh Government quote tweeted them to say that there was nothing in the rules to say that such products could not be sold.

“This is wrong – period products are essential. Supermarkets can still sell items that can be sold in pharmacies,” the Wesh Government said.