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Dominic Cummings: What did he do during lockdown? Dominic Cummings: What did he do during lockdown?
(about 3 hours later)
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's most senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, is facing calls to resign after being accused of breaking lockdown rules. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given his full backing to his most senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, after he was accused of breaking lockdown rules.
Downing Street says some of the claims against him are "false" and cabinet minister Grant Shapps says Mr Cummings - who has been seen going into No 10 - will not quit. Mr Johnson said Mr Cummings acted "responsibly, legally and with integrity" and that he acted "with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of this virus".
What is it claimed Dominic Cummings did?
The Guardian and the Mirror reported the PM's chief aide drove 260 miles from his London home to his parents' estate in County Durham at the height of restrictions in March.
Further allegations in the Observer and Sunday Mirror said the former Vote Leave boss did not stay indoors while in Durham, and also, that he made another trip there after returning to London in April.
What are the key dates?What are the key dates?
What has Mr Cummings said?What has Mr Cummings said?
Speaking to reporters outside his home in London on Saturday morning, he said he had done the "right thing" by travelling with his wife and young son to be near relatives when she developed Covid-19 symptoms at the end of March.Speaking to reporters outside his home in London on Saturday morning, he said he had done the "right thing" by travelling with his wife and young son to be near relatives when she developed Covid-19 symptoms at the end of March.
When asked whether his trip to Durham "looked good", he said: "Who cares about good looks? It's a question of doing the right thing. It's not about what you guys think."When asked whether his trip to Durham "looked good", he said: "Who cares about good looks? It's a question of doing the right thing. It's not about what you guys think."
Asked whether he would reconsider his position, he said: "Obviously not."Asked whether he would reconsider his position, he said: "Obviously not."
What does No 10 say? What has Boris Johnson said?
"I've had extensive face to face conversations with Dominic Cummings and I've concluded that in travelling to find the right kind of childcare at the moment when 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.
"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 this virus and saving lives."
How has No 10 responded to specific allegations?
Downing Street issued an initial statement about the Durham trip. It said:Downing Street issued an initial statement about the Durham trip. It 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."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."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.
"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.""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."
It then issued a further statement addressing the second set of allegations: "Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings.It then issued a further statement addressing the second set of allegations: "Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings.
"Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April. We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers.""Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on 14 April. We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers."
Commenting on claims Mr Cummings was seen in Durham on 19 May, Mr Shapps said: "Some of these stories are trying to suggest that he went up, he came back, he went up - three times I've seen suggested - and again my understanding is that's not the case."
What are others saying?What are others saying?
Daily Mirror political editor Pippa Crerar told the BBC on Sunday the paper stood by its reporting.Daily Mirror political editor Pippa Crerar told the BBC on Sunday the paper stood by its reporting.
Mr Shapps said Mr Cummings had no plans to resign - though he admitted he had not spoken directly with him as of Sunday morning.
A number of Conservative MPs said Mr Cummings should step down.A number of Conservative MPs said Mr Cummings should step down.
Backbench Tory MP Steve Baker called for the senior adviser to resign: "The country can't afford this nonsense, this pantomime, Dominic should go and we should move on and deal with things that matter in people's lives."Backbench Tory MP Steve Baker called for the senior adviser to resign: "The country can't afford this nonsense, this pantomime, Dominic should go and we should move on and deal with things that matter in people's lives."
Another Tory MP Simon Hoare has called for Mr Cummings to "consider his position" and Tory MP Damian Collins has said the government "would be better without him".
Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the government should launch an inquiry to establish the facts of what Mr Cummings did during lockdown and called on Mr Johnson to answer questions on the matter.Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the government should launch an inquiry to establish the facts of what Mr Cummings did during lockdown and called on Mr Johnson to answer questions on the matter.
The Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford called for Mr Cummings to go immediately, while Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey said the PM's judgment would be called into question if he did not sack Mr Cummings.The Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford called for Mr Cummings to go immediately, while Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey said the PM's judgment would be called into question if he did not sack Mr Cummings.
Prior to the latest allegations, cabinet ministers including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed their support for Mr Cummings.