'Making my blood boil' - Reports top adviser to PM Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules

Law-abiding Brits have slammed the top adviser to Boris Johnson following reports he travelled to his parents' home in Durham depsite travel restrictions - with one Yorkshire mother saying it made her 'blood boil'.

Police have confirmed they attended a property in County Durham after it emerged that Dominic Cummings travelled more than 260 miles from his London home during the lockdown Boris Johnson had just announced. Mr Cummings said he "behaved reasonably and legally" when making the trip, apparently so his parents could help look after his children.

But one Yorkshire mother said on social media she had been ensuring she had been socialling distancing from her own parents in line with the same lockdown rules.

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Katie Hall from Yorkshire, said: “I’m 5 miles from my shielding parents…we’ve only seen them at a distance to drop off food…my children haven’t seen them at all apart from digitally…the ‘he was with his parents’ stuff is making my blood boil.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior aid Dominic Cummings leaving his north London home, as lockdown questions continue to bombard the Government with the Prime Minister facing pressure to sack his closest aide after it emerged that he travelled to his parents' home despite coronavirus-related restrictions.Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior aid Dominic Cummings leaving his north London home, as lockdown questions continue to bombard the Government with the Prime Minister facing pressure to sack his closest aide after it emerged that he travelled to his parents' home despite coronavirus-related restrictions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's senior aid Dominic Cummings leaving his north London home, as lockdown questions continue to bombard the Government with the Prime Minister facing pressure to sack his closest aide after it emerged that he travelled to his parents' home despite coronavirus-related restrictions.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirusMembers of the public have taken to social media to pile pressure on Downing Street to sack the 48-year-old strategist.

Some users said they had not left their home to see their family since February, while one user, who gave his name as Tony, tweeted that he was unable to hug his father at his mother’s funeral, saying he was “frankly appalled”.

He said: “The lack of care or thought for other people in not following the necessary guidelines to ‘flatten the curve’ by someone who was self-proclaiming their infection with the virus.

“The hypocrisy is unbelievable.”

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The public has been asked to follow restrictions since they were brought in on March 23, which has kept many people apart from loved ones for months.

User Rachel Kerry, tweeted: “My Dad died at Easter. I couldn’t go to see him to say goodbye, couldn’t go to comfort my Mum and there were four of us, socially distancing, at his funeral so couldn’t even hold my Mum’s hand."

Others hit out at the fact that Mr Cummings displayed coronavirus symptoms “over the weekend” of March 28 and 29, and questioned why the public should continue following restrictions.

User Nat Reed tweeted: “My parents, in their late 70’s, have been tested in the last week, as have I. All were negative and they live less than an hour away.

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“I haven’t seen them since February and am still fighting all my instincts that say to jump in the car but beginning to wonder why!”

A Number 10 spokesman said: “Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.

“His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed.

“His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside.

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“At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.

“His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally.”

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