Jacob Rees-Mogg brands Welsh border coronavirus restrictions ‘unconstitutional’

West Country MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has branded proposals to impose travel restrictions on the England-Wales border as “unconstitutional”.

The Conservative politician, who represents the North East Somerset constituency, said they would “place the police in an invidious position”.

He was responding to a question in the House of Commons from Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who asked about the legality of an “intensive border” between the two countries.

It comes after Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced plans to restrict movement from tier two or three areas in England into Wales.

Parts of South Wales had already been placed on stricter lockdown restrictions than England.

But now, in addition to travel restrictions, First Minister Drakeford has said extra police patrols will be put in place along the border to enforce the rules.

Read more:

• First Minister to write to PM again to ask for travel ban to Wales from England's Covid hotspots

• No.10 rejects First Minister's letter calling for travel ban into Wales

• 'Confusion' in the border town with two different sets of lockdown restrictions