An NHS worker fined £10,000 for breaching covid rules following a protest has launched a legal bid to have the penalty withdrawn.
Karen Reissmann, 61, was fined by police after organising a pay protest following the announcement of the NHS staff 1 per cent pay rise.
Ms Reissmann said that she was ‘absolutely devastated’ after receiving the fine over what she claims was a ‘safe protest’.
The mental health nurse has now supplied a pre-action letter to GMP adding that she we will take them to a judicial review and even to a high court to challenge the legality of them issuing the fine.
Around 40 people attended the protest which took place on the 7th March, the day before schools and colleges reopened.
She said: “We did all the things to mitigate to make the protest as safe as possible.” She added that everyone was ‘wearing a mask’ and ‘socially distanced’.
Since receiving the fine, two funding pages have been set up in support of the NHS worker, with actresses such as Maxine Peak also backing the appeal.
More than £40,000 has been raised to cover the legal costs and a further £18,000 has been donated to help Ms Reissmann pay for the fine.
Ms Reissmann said: “It makes me feel proud that we live in a world where so many people see injustice and do want to do something about it.
“I think the government don’t recognise how many people are frustrated by what they’ve done with the health service and with the pandemic.
“As health workers, we have to be able to stand up and say this is outrageous.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham requested a review of the fine, but Ms Reissmann stated the police decided that it was still “proportionate and lawful and that they were still going to issue the fine.”
Quays Media contacted GMP about the incident but have received no response.