Fines and convictions handed out to thousands of people during the Covid-19 lockdowns shouldn't count against them when they're trying to find work.

That's the view of Sir Robert Buckland, who served as Justice Secretary in Boris Johnson's Conservative government at the time.

He says the penalties were not intended to criminalise people forever and prevent them getting a job.

Sir Robert, who is hoping to defend the seat he first won in 2010 at the July 4 election, was in the cabinet through the whole of 2020 and 2021 when lockdowns were announced and enforced.

And he says the 29,383 people who were fined and given convictions for breaking lockdown rules, such as being together, travelling, or not wearing masks should have the slate wiped clean.

He said to the Adver: “I don’t think convictions for breaking the rules, at an exceptional time should be being used, as they are by some police forces, as part of background checks.

"They would not prevent people getting jobs as teachers or care workers or the like. There is no impact on safeguarding for a conviction or fines for breaches of Covid regulations.”

If a blanket pardon was granted that would include former and current PMs Johnson and Rishi Sunak, who were both given fines for attending functions at Downing Street which were not necessary for work purposes.

Other candidates in Swindon South are Labour’s Heidi Alexander, Green candidate Rod Hebden, the Liberal Democrat Matt McCabe, Independent candidate Martin Costello and Reform UK’s Catherine Kosidowski.