Police chief blasts Dominic Cummings's 'most unwise' Durham trip after Downing Street contradicts force over officers' visit

Ewan Somerville23 May 2020
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A police chief has hit out at Dominic Cummings for his “most unwise” 260-mile trip to County Durham during lockdown amid a stand-off between the force and Downing Street.

Steve White, the acting police and crime commissioner at Durham Constabulary, said he believed his force had “acted appropriately” after Boris Johnson’s top aide travelled to the north east from his London home after his wife had developed Covid-19 symptoms.

Following reports last night that Mr Cummings had been investigated, Durham Police said they had attended a property in the area “to reiterate the appropriate advice around essential travel”.

But Downing Street placed itself at loggerheads with the force this lunchtime after suggesting they had given a misleading statement to the media.

Dominic Cummings is under pressure to quit 
AFP via Getty Images

A No10 spokesman told journalists: “At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.”

It prompted Commissioner Mr White to hit back and criticise the 48-year-old strategist.

He said: “In relation to the incident where Dominic Cummings visited Durham during lockdown, Durham Constabulary acted appropriately.

Police chief Steve White slammed Dominic Cummings
Durham Police

“Given the whole ethos of the guidance and regulations issued from the Government was to reduce the spread [of the virus], regardless of reason, by travelling to County Durham when known to be infected was most unwise.”

He added: “To beat this crisis we need to be selfless as millions have been.

"The response by the people of County Durham and Darlington [has] been exemplary, which makes this most frustrating and concerning."

The force has not given another updated statement over the incident following Downing Street's statement.

Boris Johnson is facing growing calls to sack his most senior adviser amid claims the trip at the end of March breached Government lockdown rules.

Political leaders have rounded on Mr Cummings, with the Lib Dems branding the alleged lockdown breach “outrageous” and Labour saying it was “expecting answers” at this afternoon’s press conference.

But Mr Cummings told reporters on Saturday afternoon: “Who cares about good looks? It’s a question of doing the right thing." He then added "It’s not about what you guys think.”

Labour was among those to criticise Downing Street for appearing to contradict Durham Police, saying its statement “raises more questions than it answers”.

Boris Johnson is under pressure to sack his top aide
PA

A party spokesperson added: "We are still unclear who knew about this decision and when, whether this was sanctioned by the Prime Minister and whether Number 10 is now questioning the validity of the statement from Durham Police.”

Labour stopped short of demanding Mr Cummings quit, but other opposition leaders said he should go.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey told Sky News on Saturday morning: “People have not seen their loved ones, they've had to cancel weddings, they've not been able to go to the funerals of their closest relatives.

“It looks quite outrageous that the Prime Minister's closest adviser has done this, and frankly if that turns out to be the case he must go... he should either resign, or the Prime Minister should sack him.”

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called for Dominic Cummings to go
Sky News

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford accused Mr Cummings of having "willfully broken the rules" his Government set and said he “should have gone” when the story broke last night.

However, Cabinet ministers flocked to defend the top aide, citing his reasoning that he was taking his young child to his grandparents in the county due to him and his wife developing symptoms.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Taking care of your wife and young child is justifiable and reasonable, trying to score political points over it isn’t.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab added: “It’s reasonable and fair to ask for an explanation on this. And it has been provided: two parents with Coronavirus, were anxiously taking care of their young child. Those now seeking to politicise it should take a long hard look in the mirror.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally.”

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