'It's all been shambolic', blasts council leader as Milton Keynes learns of its Tier 3 fate

He, along with other city officials, had correctly predicted MK would move into the highest possible restrictions. But he says the council was given no prior notice and the city was even missed off the announcement in Parliament.

Pete has also revealed fears that the impact of Tier 3 rules will not be enough to curb MK's spiraling infection rate.

He said: "Given our infection rates and hospital admissions, the Tier 3 status is not a surprise.

"However, I'm concerned that the impact of a Tier 3 restrictions on our rates will not be enough given that our city centre does not have a high concentration of hospitality venues. "

The new rules mean pubs and other hospitality venues must close apart from a takeaway or delivery service - but shops can stay open. This mean in Central Milton Keynes, popular outlets such as Pizza Express or McDonald's must close their doors. However, centre:mk and intu can stay open and people can still flock to shops just a few feet away.

Pete has also cirticised the process of the government's tier announcement, which was due yesterday (Wednesday.) "We were also given no prior notice of notification and we were missed off the announcement in Parliament... The whole process has been shambolic," he said.

The new restrictions come into force at one minute past midnight on Saturday. Read the Citizen story here about what they will mean.