Here's Boris Johnson's full speech about Dominic Cummings
"Good afternoon. I want to begin by answering the big question that people have been asking, in the last 48 hours. And that is, is this government asking you, the people, the public to do one thing, while senior people here in government, do something else? Have we been asking you to make sacrifices, to obey social distancing, stay at home, while some people have been basically flouting those rules and endangering lives?
"And it's because I take this matter so seriously, in fact, it is so serious, that I can tell you today I've had extensive face to face conversations with Dominic Cummings. And I concluded that in traveling to find the right kind of childcare at the moment when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus, and when he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father, and every parent. And I do not mark him down for that
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Hide Ad"And though there have been many other allegations about what happened when he was in self isolation and thereafter, some of them palpably false, I believe that in every respect, he has acted responsibly and legally, and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives. And I stress this fundamentally, because it's thanks to this country's collective resolve in achieving that aim that we continue to make progress."
When asked about whether Mr Cummings's conduct broke the rules, he said:
"The guidance makes it very clear that where you have particular childcare needs that has got to be taken into account and as I said I've seen a lot of stuff in the last few days about this episode of self isolation by Mr. Cummings that does not seem to correspond remotely with reality. And as far as I can see, he stuck to the rules and he reacted legally and responsibly, and with, with the sole the sole objective of avoiding such contact as would spread the virus.
"What I can tell you is that I think when you look at the guidance, when you look at the particular childcare needs that Mr. Cummings faced at the time it was reasonable for him to self isolate as he did for 14 days or more, with his family, where he did. And I think that was sensible and defensible, and I understand it, and as for all the other allegations you know again I just repeat what I've said earlier on. I've looked at them carefully. And I'm content that at all times throughout his period in isolation, actually on both sides of that period, he behaved responsibly and correctly, and with an aim, with a view to defeating the virus and stopping the spread."
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Hide AdWhen asked what he would say to MPs whose constituents are complaining, Mr Johnson said:
"I understand that and I think that one of the reasons it's so important and one of the reasons I was so determined to to come and talk to everybody about this is because I can totally get why people might feel so confused and, as you say, so offended by the idea that it was one thing for people here and another thing for others. But really having looked at what what happened, having looked at his intentions and what he was trying to do for the good of his family, I really think most people will understand what he was doing. Above all, what he did, if you look at the measures that he took, they were designed to stop the spread of the virus and I think that he at all times, as I say, behaved responsibly and legally, though I perfectly accept the point that you that you make and that's why it's so important. And that's why I wanted to come out and and make these points, this afternoon."
When asked if this changes government advice, he said:
"I think it was absolutely responsible of Dominic Cummings to see the risk to his family, or to see the risk to his child, and to take steps to avert it and that's what he did. And that in no way changes the guidance or all the advice."