One in four Britons have broken lockdown rules intentionally, poll finds

Those surveyed said they would break lockdown for mental health reasons and to see their family

Over a fifth would break rules around Christmas to see their family  (Getty Images)

A quarter of Brits have admitted intentionally breaking Covid-19 restrictions to see family, friends or for their own mental health, research has revealed.

The likes of Rita Ora and Kay Burley have been widely criticised after they were caught breaching the rules, either by partying with friends or failing to quarantine after travelling abroad.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed that 23 per cent have also broken the rules in December alone.

More than a fifth said they would break the rules around Christmas bubbles to see their family members indoors.

The most common reasons why respondents decided to break the rules were because they wanted to see family and because the current restrictions were affecting their mental health.

Almost a third said they felt the rules were too strict, while 25 per cent said they didn't think they were necessary at all. Of the rule breakers, 60 per cent said they had been inside someone’s house.

The same figure claimed they didn't understand why they could see people at work but not at home.

A fifth of those who had broken rules said they had broken the rule of six, while, more worryingly, five per cent said they didn't isolate after catching Covid-19 - with seven per cent not isolating after displaying symptoms.

The research was carried out by Medicspot to launch its ‘Test to Release’ programme, which would allow travellers entering England from countries outside the travel corridor list to shorten the 10-day self-isolation period with a negative test.

It also found 64 per cent of adults are putting off travelling internationally because they must quarantine on their return.

However, seven per cent of Brits have ‘done an Ora’ by not quarantining for the correct period after travelling abroad.

The celeb was widely criticised for her antics which involved skipping quarantine after performing in Egypt and then having a 30th birthday party, with 87 per cent saying she was wrong to do this.

Just 16 per cent said they had sympathy for famous faces like Ora and Sky News presenter Kay Burley after they were caught breaking the rules surrounding Covid-19.

More than eight in 10 adults think celebrities should lead by example when it comes to following Covid-19 restrictions.

A spokesperson for Medicspot said: “Covid restrictions are a sensitive subject and almost half of Brits admit they are confused by the current rules and restrictions."

The research, carried out via OnePoll, comes as the government has introduced Tier Four along with far stricter guidelines around the Christmas bubbles.

This has led to three quarters of those who took part in the survey planning on staying at their own home for Christmas.

And when it comes to the tiers, two thirds do sympathise with the government who have a difficult job on their hands.

SWNS