A FORMER rector of Hexham Abbey has expressed his concern over 'covid deniers', asking "which bit do they not understand?"

The Rt Rev. Graham Usher, served at Hexham for a decade between 2004 and 2014, before becoming the Bishop of Dudley.

Now the Bishop of Norwich since June last year, Rev. Usher took to social media on Sunday afternoon to express frustration at 'covid deniers'.

It comes a day after 16 people were arrested during an anti-lockdown protest in south London.

Police officers clashed with some of the maskless protesters who arrived in Clapham Common, some shouting "take your freedom back".

On Twitter, Rev. Usher said: "The Covid-deniers make me so cross, not least because they think only of themselves and not their neighbours.

"Which bit do they not understand?"

The husband of a doctor, Rev. Usher said he had witnessed first hand the level of care needed to keep people safe from the virus.

He added: "Being married to a doctor, I see the long hours, the bagged scrubs waiting to be washed, the sheer commitment to patient care."

Rev. Usher's message generated a debate on Twitter, with one follower suggesting that everyone is guilty, at least occasionally, of thinking of themselves rather than others.

The former Abbey rector responded: "Indeed I do, and when that happens I need to rethink and repent - but I am trying with all my heart to help reduce my risk to others, and their risk to me, during this pandemic. That, for me, is loving my neighbour."

And Rev. Usher suggested ways of focusing on the positives during a challenging time for all communities.

He added: "Perhaps focus on the incredible examples of personal sacrifice, praying for those on the front line, and/or giving any teachers, NHS workers, care workers, delivery drivers you know a call to see how they are. Let’s focus the energy on choosing life!"

The debate came just days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson had his say on the issue.

Mr Johnson said: "On the kind of people who stand outside hospitals saying Covid is a hoax, really I do think they need to grow up.

"You've heard about the pressure the NHS is under and we've all got to do our bit responsibly to protect it."