A SALON owner has stood defiant and says she is not breaking the law despite opening her business during lockdown. 

Earlier this week, the owner of Quinn Blakey Hairdressing on Bradford Road, Oakenshaw, was issued with a prohibition notice to close by the Council, supported by West Yorkshire Police, as well as a Fixed Penalty Notice of £1,000.

During the current four-week Covid-19 national lockdown, it is illegal for non-essential businesses, including hairdressers, to open.

A video posted on Instagram yesterday called 'Police 5th visit & Council 2nd visit' shows the confrontation with Kirklees Council officials and a police officer. 

When the situation is outlined to her, she says: "I don't consent to any fines."

A lengthy notice posted on the door of the salon, signed and dated November 5, appears to challenge the Covid-19 regulations, by citing Article 61 of the Magna Carta.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

It says: “NOTICE: I DO NOT CONSENT. This business stands under the jurisdiction of common law. As the business owners, we are exercising our rights to earn a living.

“Under Article 61 of Magna Carta 1215 we have a right to enter into lawful dissent if we feel we are being governed unjustly. Contrary to common belief, our sovereign and her government are only there to govern us and not rule us.

“This must be done within the constraint of our common law and the freedoms asserted to us by such law. Nothing can become law in this country if it falls outside of this simple constraint.”

Independent fact-checking website fullfact.org says this is incorrect and cannot be used for such purposes, despite posts on social media claiming otherwise.

It says: "Clause 61 of the 1215 Magna Carta set out rules for 25 specific barons. It did not allow the general population to rebel, and it was also removed from subsequent versions of the document.

Pointing to the notice on the door, she says: "This has been served to Kirklees Council and they had seven days to answer these questions.

"You are out of your jurisdiction. I'm standing under common law.

"I'm not breaking any laws. I'm standing under common law and I can open my business under common law."

When she's told she is breaking the law, she asks: "What law am I breaking?"

The discussion goes on and she continues to maintain that she is not breaking any laws and does not consent to any fines.

She then refuses to close and says to the accompanying police officer: "I'm not answering any questions."

He then tells her that officers can force entry if they have to.

She continues to say that she is not breaking any laws and that she is "standing under common law". 

The police officer tells her: "You're going to get fined and that's not good for yourself and I'm sure financially that's not good for the business.

"I understand what you're saying, you don't want to shut, but it's the same for everyone, businesses are shut everywhere, hairdressers, beauty salons, they're having to because of this legislation."

She answers: "We'll I'm not complying, I'm not answering any more questions. I'm standing under common law, not statutory law."

The police officer said clients in the salon would also receive fines.

"I appreciate what you're doing, this is your job, I understand it, but I'm standing up for my rights," she adds.

The video has been viewed thousands of times and has attracted scores of comments.

One person wrote: "I think this is so unfair of you. I'm self employed and on my a***, I have friends with their own businesses like you, with families and mortgages, what makes you think you're so superior."

A reply from the hair salon said: "Open your business then. I don't think I'm superior at all, this is not about money. This is about standing up for OUR rights - that means me and you.

"But I can't do it alone, I need more businesses to make a stand with me."

One story posted on the salon's Instagram account today says: "Police and council, I'm not in work today I'm having a day off but I'm back in tomorrow."

Kirklees Council said today: "We’re visiting today to issue a £2,000 Fixed Penalty Notice. At the same time we’ll check if they are open/trading. If trading is still continuing, we will then have to issue a £4,000 Fixed Penalty Notice tomorrow."

They later said: "The premises was closed today on inspection but we’ll check again tomorrow."

The fines now amount to a total of £3,000.

The Telegraph & Argus has approached the salon for comment a number of times this week.