Gavin Williamson insists Dominic Cummings did not break law and says top aide should not resign

Ewan Somerville25 May 2020
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Dominic Cummings did not break any laws and should not have to resign, the Education Secretary has insisted.

Gavin Williamson said Boris Johnson’s top aide should not quit “because he has made it clear that he’s broken no rules and he’s broken no laws”.

The latest staunch ministerial defence of Mr Cummings comes after the Prime Minister stood firm against a 16-strong Tory rebellion to insist Mr Cummings had “acted responsibly, legally and with integrity”.

But one of the Government’s own scientific experts said a “debacle” over the adviser’s alleged two 260-mile trips to Durham has “fatally undermined” Mr Johnson’s Covid-19 message and will mean “more people are going to die”.

Dominic Cummings is facing mounting pressure to quit
REUTERS

There is growing fury at all levels of the Conservative Party over the claims Mr Cummings made a 260-mile trip from London to the north east in March to self-isolate when his wife had Covid-19 symptoms.

It is claimed he made a second trip to Durham in April, having already returned to London, despite lockdown rules urging against long-distance travel.

But Mr Williamson defended the aide on Monday morning and said it was his “understanding” that “Dominic Cummings made absolutely clear there was only one trip to Durham”.

Asked if he knew if Mr Cummings stopped on the way, he told BBC Radio 4: “I have not had a conversation with Dominic Cummings.

"The Prime Minister had an extensive discussion with Dominic Cummings yesterday – he did a press conference yesterday.

Gavin Williamson admitted he had not spoken to Dominic Cummings 
PA

“He made it absolutely clear at the press conference that Dominic Cummings had given him the reassurance that no rules or no laws had been broken but I don’t have any more details than that.”

The Mirror and Guardian reported that the maverick Downing Street adviser was reported to Durham Police on Sunday by a member of the public who claimed to have spotted him in the city.

Retired chemistry teacher Robin Lees has reported Mr Cummings for a suspected breach of lockdown after claiming to have seen Mr Cummings and his family on April 12 walking in the town of Barnard Castle - 30 miles from his family home.

Downing Street has defended Mr Cummings' actions, insisting he "acted in line with guidelines" and that his journey was "essential" because it related to the welfare of his child.

The fresh defence of Mr Cummings comes as anger mounts from across the political spectrum.

The top aide is reportedly the subject of a complaint to Durham Police
PA

Some 16 Tory MPs have now broken ranks to demand he quits or that the PM fire him, with one cabinet minister telling The Times Mr Johnson has “sacrificed his own credibility to save Dominic Cummings”.

Professor Stephen Reicher, who sits on the Government’s advisory group of behavioural science which answers to the main Sage committee, said the affair had “undermined adherence to the forms of behaviour which have got us through this crisis”.

The storm over Mr Cummings’ actions overshadowed Mr Johnson’s latest signal that the lockdown is easing as he confirmed the phased reopening of England’s primary schools will commence on June 1.

The Cabinet is set to meet later to discuss loosening more aspects of the lockdown, with the changes expected to signal the reopening of some non-essential shops.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in