MET Chief Cressida Dick was slammed today for joining hundreds of people on Westminster Bridge ignoring social distancing rules last night while clapping for the NHS.

Dozens, including Ms Dick, flocked to show their support for frontline workers amid the pandemic, but ignored the strict distancing rules and stood less than two metres apart as they applauded.

6 Critics slammed Met Police chief Cressida Dick after she joined in as crowds clapped for the NHS on Westminster Bridge

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6 Police were seen joining in with the clap of appreciation, as the huge crowd broke social distancing rules Credit: Twitter @d_rafi1

6 Many people flocked to Westminster Bridge to join the clap for carers there - but failed to stay far enough apart Credit: Twitter @d_rafi1

Critics on Twitter blasted Ms Dick as the "worst commissioner of all time" after she joined in the clap for carers last night.

One critic said: "Beyond a joke. But that's Cressida Dick for you."

Another added: "Met Police Chief Cressida Dick was on Westminster Bridge last night and did nothing!"

A stunned doctor at St Thomas' Hospital filmed the crowded scene and wrote: "I'm a doctor working at the hospital that's right there. And yes, I was also somewhat perplexed by the lack of social distancing..."

Dr Damir Rafi told the Metro: "Though people may have wanted to go outside to show their support for healthcare workers, applauding them while being in a crowd is likely to have done more harm than good.

"As a doctor, I’m seeing that things seem to be getting better regarding the state of the wards and number of admissions. It’s all due to social distancing.

"Even though it’s difficult for everyone, it’s working. I’m concerned that people may become more lax as time passes, and so would strongly encourage them to keep it up so that progress is maintained."

The bridge was packed last night with well-meaning families, young children and emergency workers - but many were failing to socially distance as they packed together facing the hospital.

Every Thursday at 8pm since Britain was put into lockdown the nation has clapped out of windows and at their front doors to thank frontline workers.

Medics have said the weekly clap gives them a boost during gruelling shifts, but last night those gathered on the bridge were slammed for potentially creating more cases for staff to tackle.

6 A stunned doctor filmed the scene - questioning how sensible it was to have a mass gathering Credit: Twitter @d_rafi1

6 The bridge was full of people joining in the well-meaning but not socially distanced enough clap Credit: Twitter

6 Police were criticised for allowing the crowd to remain - after patrolling parks to ensure rules were being followed Credit: Twitter @d_rafi1

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dick led dozens of officers in the weekly applause for key workers at 8pm last night.

A video posted to the force's Twitter account shows her standing in front of officers, who are lined up with gaps in front of police vehicles along the bridge near Parliament.

But the gesture drew criticism from some after the clip filmed by DrRafi emerged showing groups of people, near police officers, seemingly ignoring social distancing guidance.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We would ask that everyone takes responsibility and adheres to social distancing rules so that we can safely show our appreciation for those who are working so hard to fight coronavirus."

He added: "We would ask that in showing their appreciation for those who are working so hard as carers, they do so in a way which adheres to the social distancing rules."

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff SUN readers are today urged to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross. Yesterday, we backed a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle. A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.” We are asking readers to sign the petition online at thesun.co.uk/georgecrossfornhs.

A furious nurse wrote under the video: "This is just really infuriating!!!! I’m a Nurse & this scene made me sick!!!

"It’s more appreciated if social distancing was practise here than the clapping itself! Do we really CARE???

"Expect for more weeks of torture, more casualties because of this!!!"

And another said: "It was a pointless exercise that made a mockery of the measures put in place.

"Public gathering on westminster bridge, ignoring social distancing, to clap the people who could end up now treating them if they’ve spread the virus among that crowd."

Others blasted the crowd for blocking the road - one of the main ways in to the busy hospital - and criticised the officers who have been seen patrolling parks making sure people are sticking to restriction rules.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Officers, along with other emergency service workers, came together last night on Westminster Bridge to celebrate the work of all key workers.

"A large number of members of the public also gathered to express their gratitude.

"While many people adhered to social distancing guidance, it appears that some did not. We regularly remind our officers of the importance of social distancing where practical, and will continue do so."

Yesterday coronavirus deaths in the UK jumped to 14,576 today after 847 more patients died in hospital.

According to the Department of Health 108,692 people have tested positive for the deadly bug - up 5,599 from Wednesday.

The long bank holiday weekend was blamed for the climb in daily coronavirus deaths.

But experts said the slight rise was expected and was probably due to hospitals clearing a backlog from Easter.

It comes as Britain is set to stay in lockdown for at least three more weeks until it passes five key tests, Dominic Raab announced yesterday.

The Foreign Secretary’s checks include ensuring the NHS is not overwhelmed by coronavirus victims and seeing a steady reduction in deaths.

Health Minister Nadine Dorries tweeted: “There is only one way we can ‘exit’ full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine. Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a ­balance between the health of the nation and our economy.

“The introduction of a relaxation/easement strategy eventually leads to a full exit.”

Among the latest deaths is 28-year-old nurse Mary Agyapong, who died of coronavirus five days after her baby was born.

It is understood doctors performed an emergency caesarean on the medic shortly after she was admitted to hospital last week - having lost her dad to suspected Covid-19 just days earlier.

Mary joins over 40 NHS heroes who have sacrificed their lives to treat patients during the crisis.

It comes as War hero Captain Tom Moore completed 100 laps of his garden yesterday, raising more than £13 million for the NHS.

The 99-year-old WWII veteran completed the last few laps on his zimmer frame - and insisted he will continue for as long as people keep giving money.

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It comes as Britain could stay in lockdown until June over fears lifting the drastic measures too quickly could lead to a second wave of the pandemic.

Ministers feel pushing the lockdown to May or even June would be the right move.

Others believe keeping it shut for too long risks a complete economic meltdown.

Plans are being considered to reopen some primary schools and nurseries next month - with schools outside London and Birmingham set to be the first to open once the lockdown is lifted.