Northern leaders have accused Boris Johnson of bullying them into accepting tougher Covid curbs, as the Tier system descended into a shambles.
Lancashire became the second area to come under the strictest restrictions, but council chiefs claimed the PM threatened to withhold financial aid if they refused.
And Mr Johnson warned Greater Manchester he would impose Tier 3 sanctions on the region unless they dropped their opposition to it.
Liverpool leaders, already placed in the toughest restrictions, told of their fury after Lancashire was allowed to keep gyms and leisure centres open while they were ordered to close.
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