Boris Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings probed by cops for breaking lockdown rules to stay with parents 250 miles away
BORIS Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings was investigated by cops for breaking the Government’s own lockdown rules.
The PM’s chief adviser travelled more than 250 miles from his London home to stay with his parents in Durham.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The revelation is a humiliation for No10, who have spent months telling Brits they must stay at home and not see family to slow the spread of Covid.
Mr Cummings went to Durham with his wife, journalist Mary Wakefield, and young son to self-isolate after getting coronavirus at the end of March.
At the time Downing Street claimed he was holed up in his London home.
But a joint investigation by the Mirror and the Guardian revealed that he had in fact travelled nearly the entire length of England.
CUMMINGS PROBED
The move flouted advice, which became law on March 26, which stated: “You should not be visiting family members who do not live in your home.”
Durham Constabulary confirmed they had visited the home of Mr Cummings’ parents – Robert and Morag – and given the family a ticking off.
A spokesman for the force said: “On Tuesday, March 31, our officers were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.
“Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house.
“In line with national policing guidance, officers explained to the family the guidelines around self-isolation and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel”.
A week later, on April 5, a neighbour spotted Mr Cummings in the garden with his son running around to Abba’s Dancing Queen.
They said: “I got the shock of my life, as I looked over to the gates and saw him.
“There was a child, presumably his little boy, running around in front. I recognised Dominic Cummings, he’s a very distinctive figure.”
They added: “I was really annoyed. I thought it’s okay for you to drive all the way up to Durham and escape from London.
“I sympathise with him wanting to do that but other people are not allowed to do that. It’s one rule for Dominic Cummings and one rule for the rest of us.”
The news comes as the coronavirus death toll in the UK hit 36,393 today after 351 more deaths.
The Labour Party has demanded a “very swift explanation” from Downing Street over reports that Mr Cummings broke the Government’s lockdown rules.
He isn’t remotely bothered by this story, it’s more fake news from the Guardian.There is zero chance of him resigning.
Close friend of Mr Cummings
A Labour spokesman said: “If accurate, the Prime Minister‘s chief adviser appears to have breached the lockdown rules.
“The Government’s guidance was very clear: stay at home and no non-essential travel.
“The British people do not expect there to be one rule for them and another rule for Dominic Cummings.
“Number 10 needs to provide a very swift explanation for his actions.”
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: “If Dominic Cummings has broken the lockdown guidelines he will have to resign. It’s as simple as that.”
But a close friend of Dominic Cummings said: “He isn’t remotely bothered by this story, it’s more fake news from the Guardian.
“There is zero chance of him resigning.”
But the BBC has been told that Mr Cummings didn’t break government guidance because he and his wife stayed in a different building.
MOST READ IN NEWS
The shocking revelation comes after ‘professor lockdown’ Neil Ferguson quit as a government adviser after breaching the rules.
The boffin – who masterminded the lockdown – let his married lover Antonia Staats, 38, visit him at home.
No10 did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.