NEW: The Government issues an updated response to a Parliamentary petition to say they “cannot safely include” a BSL interpreter in the room for their daily coronavirus briefings “without potentially putting them and others at risk”. #WhereIsTheInterpreter https://liamodell.com/2020/05/19/government-cannot-safely-include-a-bsl-interpreter-at-coronavirus-briefings-petitions-committee-oliver-dowden-where-is-the-interpreter/">https://liamodell.com/2020/05/1...

DCMS adds that the Government is "working within the constraints of a historical site with limited space" at Downing St.

"Having an interpreter physically attend [...] contradicts the PHE guidelines, and potentially puts them and others at risk.” https://liamodell.com/2020/05/19/government-cannot-safely-include-a-bsl-interpreter-at-coronavirus-briefings-petitions-committee-oliver-dowden-where-is-the-interpreter/">https://liamodell.com/2020/05/1...

This response comes despite the Scottish Government being able to introduce an in-person interpreter in a way which adheres to social distancing rules while still providing access to #deaf people. #WhereIsTheInterpreter https://liamodell.com/2020/05/19/government-cannot-safely-include-a-bsl-interpreter-at-coronavirus-briefings-petitions-committee-oliver-dowden-where-is-the-interpreter/">https://liamodell.com/2020/05/1...

"I and the petitioners believe these are challenges which the Government should be seeking to overcome [...] rather than relying on broadcasters’ discretion."

@CatMcKinnell, chair of @HoCpetitions, responds to the Government& #39;s revised answer. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> https://liamodell.com/2020/05/19/government-cannot-safely-include-a-bsl-interpreter-at-coronavirus-briefings-petitions-committee-oliver-dowden-where-is-the-interpreter/">https://liamodell.com/2020/05/1...

Chris Fry, from Fry Law, comments on the petition response.

Fry Law has sent over 270 pre-action letters to the UK Government regarding them failing to provide a British Sign Language interpreter for their coronavirus briefings.

#WhereIsTheInterpreter https://twitter.com/frylegal/status/1262664886301208577">https://twitter.com/frylegal/...

A roundup of the Govt.’s excuses, with rebuttals:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❌" title="Cross mark" aria-label="Emoji: Cross mark"> Downing St. has “limited space”.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Move to another room? What about the PM’s televised statements?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❌" title="Cross mark" aria-label="Emoji: Cross mark"> It contradicts PHE guidelines. It’s not possible to “safely include” an interpreter in the room.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> What about Scotland?

Another supporter of the #WhereIsTheInterpreter campaign, the National Registers of Communication Professionals with Deaf and Deafblind People, comments on the response.

They describe it as “very disappointing and full of excuses”. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> https://twitter.com/nrcpd/status/1262740750636249088">https://twitter.com/nrcpd/sta...

Here’s the response from @jerseysnail, who founded the online campaign, #WhereIsTheInterpreter. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> https://twitter.com/jerseysnail/status/1262759804080025601">https://twitter.com/jerseysna...

The Disabled Children’s Partnership, a group of charities “campaigning for improved health and social care for disabled children, young people and their families in England”, responds to the Government’s reply... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> https://twitter.com/dcpcampaign/status/1262780303149371393">https://twitter.com/dcpcampai...

As other organisations comment on the UK Government’s latest response, it’ll be worth seeing what @EHRC make of all this. Remember that they wrote to the PM about this issue at the start of May.

Also, they’ll be speaking to @Commonswomequ tomorrow. Will this be raised then? https://twitter.com/EHRC/status/1256165831148527616">https://twitter.com/EHRC/stat...