Father of lockdown bride steps down as chair of Met Police advisory group
Photos and footage shared on social media show dozens of seats in the dining area and a chuppa set up in an outdoor space
The father of a bride whose wedding was disrupted by police amid a strict lockdown ban has “voluntarily stepped down” from his role as chair of the Hackney Independent Advisory Group.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said on Friday that “the chair of Hackney Independent Advisory Group has voluntarily stepped down.”
Moishe Friedlander, whose daughter Mimi married Zevi Begal last week, told MailOnline that public outcry over the gathering had sparked his resignation. “It’s all over now,” he said. “I’ve stepped down as chairman. Let’s all move on with our lives.”
MailOnline also reported that Rabbi Doniel Kleiman officiated at the wedding, which was held in his Golders Green home on Bridge Lane.
Photos and footage of the event, shared on Facebook and Twitter last week by the anonymous author of the blog The Diary Of An OTD Girl, appeared to show dozens of seats in a lavish dining area and a chuppa set up in what resembles an outdoor space.
Metropolitan Police officers attended the occasion, following reports of a “large group of people gathered” at a residential address in Bridge Lane, and issued a fixed penalty fine.
Halpern officiates at a wedding during lockdown
Surprise surprise – guess which Rabbi was there at this wedding??? Yup. Chaim Halpern of all people. I’m hoping it’s because no other rabbi would agree to do it. I have cropped the faces of the people on this clip out of respect for the bride and groom.
פורסם על ידי The Diary Of An OTD Girl ב- יום רביעי, 22 באפריל 2020
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said last Thursday: “Officers attended the address in the evening and spoke with the occupants. They were informed that a family occasion was to take place and that a very small number of people would be present. Appropriate advice regarding government guidelines around Covid-19 was given.
“Police were called again at 21:00hrs following reports of a large group of people gathered at the address. Officers attended and engaged, explained the guidance and encouraged compliance. By 2300hrs the event had closed.”
No arrests were made.
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