Senin, 25 Mei 2020

Coronavirus: Dominic Cummings to make statement on lockdown allegations - BBC News

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The PM's chief adviser Dominic Cummings is to make a public statement and take questions over allegations he broke coronavirus lockdown rules.

Mr Cummings is facing calls from Labour and some Tory MPs to quit or be fired.

He travelled 260 miles with his family to be near relatives when his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.

Boris Johnson insists his aide acted legally and within guidelines - but critics say the government's lockdown message has been undermined.

The prime minister made a statement on Sunday in an attempt to draw a line under the row - but Conservative MPs have continued to call for Mr Cummings' dismissal.

Mr Cummings has been under fire since the Guardian and Daily Mirror reported that he had been seen in County Durham, at his family's farm during lockdown.

It later emerged that he had travelled there with his four-year-old son and wife, who had developed Covid-19 symptoms, to self-isolate so that he could be near relatives who could take care of the child if necessary.

Under lockdown rules, which are still in force, anyone developing symptoms has been instructed to stay in their home.

Mr Cummings has been quizzed by reporters outside his London home since the row erupted, telling them he had done the "right thing" by making the journey, and did not care what it looked like.

But he has not yet given a full explanation of his actions - something he will be expected to do when he makes a statement later on Monday.

It comes as plans to further ease lockdown restrictions are being discussed at a cabinet meeting.

'Constituent anger'

Nineteen Tory MPs are calling for Mr Cummings to resign or be sacked, while others have joined Labour in calling for an inquiry.

Tory MP Peter Aldous said: "My initial view was to be sympathetic to Dominic Cummings due to his expressed desire to protect his young son. I have now revised this opinion.

"I have received many e-mails from constituents highlighting the sacrifices that families have made during the pandemic and expressing upset and anger that there appears to be one rule for those in positions of authority and another for everyone else.

"Moreover, questions remain unanswered as to whether Mr Cummings completely self-isolated whilst he was in County Durham."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the consequences of Mr Johnson's decision could be "serious", and acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said it undermined the prime minister's authority on the coronavirus crisis.

Senior Church of England bishops and scientists advising ministers on the pandemic have also strongly criticised the government's handling of the row.

Mr Johnson has defended Mr Cummings, saying he believed his senior aide had "no alternative" but to make the journey from London at the end of March for childcare "when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus".

Durham's police chief, Steve White, has asked the force to "establish the facts concerning any potential breach of the law" surrounding Mr Cummings' visit to the county.

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2020-05-25 11:59:38Z
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