He had it Cumming

Today, Downing street publicly defended Dominic Cummings (the Prime Minister's senior advisor) after seven weeks of failing to provide on-the-record explanations about his whereabouts. His partner, Mary Wakefield was infected with Covid-19 and so he knew it was a high likelihood he would also become unwell; he said it was ‘essential’ for him to ensure his child was properly cared for at this time. Cummings' sisters and nieces volunteered to help out and so he made the 264 mile trip from London to Durham, staying in a house on his family's estate, which included his elderely parents, in case their help was needed. He arrived in Durham on or before the 31st March - Durham then had the 5th highest peak of any local authority in England. Cummings was aware that by making this journey he was spreading the virus and going against the rules that he himself helped to write.

Durham constabulary revealed they had spoken to Cummings’ family about lockdown rules after receiving reports on 31st March that he was in Durham after becoming ill. Although Cummings has called the police liars, declaring that him nor his family were ever spoken to - if they can prove that they did speak to his family, the Prime Minister's chief advisor has falsely accused the police of lying in an attempt to prevent more backlash, surely resulting in his resignation. Johnson’s exact words when preparing for lockdown went as follows: “if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should self isolate and get yourself tested...Don’t risk spreading the virus.” It is clear that Cummings did not follow this and broke lockdown rules which undermines the stay at home message we were being given, as well as this the BBC reported that a small number of people in government did in fact know that he had left London for Durham. How many people knew of this? Who knew? And why were they attempting to sweep it under the rug and cover up the fact that Cummings had broken rules that he and the government expect the rest of the country to follow? Is it one rule for him and another rule for the British public? Are the government really expecting us to believe that a top 1% earner in the UK, who have other relatives living in London, including Mary Wakefield’s brother, were not able to make arrangements without travelling to Durham. Simply, Cummings knowingly spread the virus and he should resign.

Matt Hancock the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said he would back the police in any action they wish to take over prof Neil Ferguson, breaking social distancing rules by having a woman visit him at his home - as a result of this he resigned. The woman, Antonia Staats had crossed London from her family home to visit him on at least two occasions. Catherine Calderwood was also made to resign on 2nd April because she made two trips visiting Earlsferry in Fife an hours drive from her family home. Yet the government is supporting Cummings who also broke lockdown rules and travelled a much further distance. Hancock has previously stated that physical distancing rules were very important and everyone should follow them but is now seen to be endorsing driving across the country during lockdown while displaying coronavirus symptoms. Hancock should hold the same support of the police and pressure to see both Ferguson and Calderwood resign in Cummings’ case. They all broke the rules. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, replied to the first official 10 Downing street statement on twitter - ‘taking care of your wife and young child is justifiable and reasonable, trying to score political points over it isn't.’ Cummings could have taken care of his family in London, his trip to Durham was unnecessary, wasn't within the guidelines and could help spread the virus. Boris’ speech on 18th March included that ‘children should not be left with older grandparents’ which is what many articles have suggested that Cummings did. Under the government's rules people are not even allowed to physically comfort relatives at a funeral and most are now virtual, with no family members able to attend the burial of a loved one yet the Conservative party are backing someone who has broken the rules and spread the virus.

When Cummings was asked by reporters if he thought his actions looked good to the public, he replied with ‘who cares about looks good? It's a question of doing the right thing. It's not about what you guys think.’ I think the right thing would have been to stay at home, like everyone else has to do; clearly he is unapologetic for his actions. During the Downing street briefing a question was asked by Dave Wood of ITV on whether people in heartbreaking circumstances such as death, should have used their own interpretation of the stay at home message, just as Cummings was able to interpret his essential travel of 264 miles. He received an answer of yes, follow the guidelines but it is up to the individual to make the decision to make sure they have enough support. Wood’s follow up question was to check that the message being given this evening is that anyone who becomes ill, if they can get close to family, that they can do this no matter how far, to which his reply was no. So, now we are being told it is up to us individually to decide what is best - undermining Hancock who said following the guidelines is not a request it is an instruction.

Cummings needs to resign, he has undermined the government's rules and an inquiry into his trip needs to take place. One of the government's most senior figures has been caught out and the public need to know that he will face consequences for his actions or everyone will start to break the regulations as it shows its one rule for the rich and powerful and another rule for the rest of us.