A HALESOWEN councillor is refusing to comply with COVID-19 rules - hitting out at the Government for its convoluted and draconian measures to curtail our civil liberties. Cllr Ray Burson, of Halesowen South ward, says he does not need a minister of the crown telling me when and where and how I get to hug my grandchildren and is encouraging other people to follow his lead. The move has led to a call for him to be suspended from public office. Cllr Burston issued a two page statement detailing his thoughts about the devastating effect that the Government’s CoVid19 response measures – in particular, local and national lockdowns – have had upon our economy and upon people’s jobs, livelihoods and mental health.