This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/may/24/uk-coronavirus-live-dominic-cummings-under-intense-pressure-over-lockdown-breaches

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
UK coronavirus live: Tory MPs call for Dominic Cummings to go UK coronavirus live: Tory MPs call for Dominic Cummings to go
(32 minutes later)
Seven Conservative MPs call for advisor to resign amid revelations of further breaches of lockdown rulesSeven Conservative MPs call for advisor to resign amid revelations of further breaches of lockdown rules
It’s interesting timing from the Telegraph, whose chief political correspondent, Christopher Hope, has written a piece in today’s paper about calls from the Countryside Alliance to allow visits to second homes, as well as the reopening of self-catering cottages, camp sites and other tourism businesses, so rural businesses can benefit financially from the influx of visitors.
Cummings’ alleged trip to Barnard Castle is what looks likely to be the most problematic issue for him.
This from HuffPost UK’s Paul Waugh:
This from the journalist Neil Macfarlane:
This from my colleague David Conn:
This from the BBC’s James Clayton:
And this from the Manchester Evening News’ Jennifer Williams:
A “big debate” is needed about the future of funding the BBC after the coronavirus crisis proved it can bring the nation together, its outgoing director general said.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Lord Tony Hall said the broadcaster had been able to bring the country together and cited the work of its local radio stations as an example.
He said:
Hall said 92% of the organisation was working from home during the pandemic and the broadcaster had launched its biggest ever educational programme, as well as working with arts organisations on programmes.
He added that plans to stop free TV licences for over-75s had been delayed until August and would be reviewed by the BBC’s board nearer the time.
Tens of thousands of low income households are being denied extra support designed to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, after being hit by the government’s benefit cap, my colleague Michael Savage writes in the Observer today.
Particularly hard-hit are private renters with children, he reports.
This from the Conservative MP Craig Whittaker:This from the Conservative MP Craig Whittaker:
Sky News’ Joe Pike has counted seven Tory MPs who want Cummings to step down.Sky News’ Joe Pike has counted seven Tory MPs who want Cummings to step down.
This from the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, who seems to be saying that she was pressing for Cummings’ resignation yesterday.This from the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, who seems to be saying that she was pressing for Cummings’ resignation yesterday.
Anyone in public spaces “should wear a mask” according to Venki Ramakrishnan, the president of the Royal Society who also sits on the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). Anyone in public spaces “should wear a mask”, according to Venki Ramakrishnan, the president of the Royal Society who also sits on the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
Ramakrishnan told the Andrew Marr show that face coverings help to reduce transmission. Ramakrishnan told the Andrew Marr Show that face coverings help to reduce transmission.
“I think anyone in public spaces should wear a mask because it’s simply another tool to reduce the possibility of infections,” he said. “I think anyone in public spaces should wear a mask because it’s simply another tool to reduce the possibility of infections,” he said. “I don’t think masks are the be all end all, you have to think of it as one leg in a multi-legged stool that holds up prevention of transmission.”
“I don’t think masks are be all end all, you have to think of it as one leg in a multi-legged stool that holds up prevention of transmission.” Asked if teachers should wear masks, Ramakrishnan said: “If they are socially distanced and there are all these other measures in place, where their use is not necessary. That is a policy decision, that’s not for a scientist like me to say.
Asked if teachers should wear masks, Ramakrishnan said: “If they are socially distanced and there are all these other measures in place, where their use is not necessary, that is a policy decision, that’s not for a scientist like me to say.
“My view is that wherever social distancing is not possible, we must regularly wash our hands and I think it would be a good idea to wear masks.”“My view is that wherever social distancing is not possible, we must regularly wash our hands and I think it would be a good idea to wear masks.”
Peter Bone, the Conservative MP for Wellingborough, has become the fifth Tory MP saying Cummings should go.Peter Bone, the Conservative MP for Wellingborough, has become the fifth Tory MP saying Cummings should go.
In an interview with Nigel Farage on LBC he said Cummings “has to go” because he broke the rules and has not apologised.In an interview with Nigel Farage on LBC he said Cummings “has to go” because he broke the rules and has not apologised.
“When an adviser becomes the story, the adviser has to go,” he said.“Boris Johnson can carry on without Dominic Cummings if he goes but it will be hard if he stays.” “When an adviser becomes the story, the adviser has to go,” he said. “Boris Johnson can carry on without Dominic Cummings if he goes but it will be hard if he stays.”
My colleague Rajeev Syal has written up a story about Steve Baker’s efforts this morning:My colleague Rajeev Syal has written up a story about Steve Baker’s efforts this morning:
Just a quick reminder that it’s worth refreshing the blog every once in a while, as some posts are being added to as we go along, and some typos magically disappear over time.
Here a video of Steve Baker speaking on the Sophy Ridge show. The MP led calls from Conservative ranks for Cummings’ resignation this morning.
The allegation that Dominic Cummings made more than one journey between London and Durham “is now an issue of Boris Johnson’s judgment and integrity”, according to the SNP’s Westminster deputy leader, Kirsty Blackman, PA Media reports.
She said:
Marr presses him on how the government can expect the public to make huge sacrifices if Cummings keeps his job after these breaches of rules.
Shapps reiterates that the guidance allowed for arrangements such as the one Cummings made, and that he does not think he needs to resign.
Says it is important to “remain locked down, particularly if you have the symptoms”.
Shapps says his “understanding” is that Cummings did not go up and down between Durham and London “three times”.
“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,” he said.
Shapps added there were “massive issues which will matter to people even more than where one family spent time isolating during this, including how we build our way out of this crisis”.
Marr presses Shapps on No 10’s denial from yesterday that Cummings had been speaking to police, which was contradicted by Durham police.
Shapps states repeatedly the denial had only been in relation to the claim that police contacted Cummings, when it was his father who made contact himself.
Asked about Barnard Castle, and whether he persoanlly had stated untruthful things in relation to claims Cummings was spotted there on 12 April, Shapps says he’s not sure about the date, and that it’s his understanding that Cummings did stay put while he needed to be in isolation.
He refuses to confirm that Cummings moved around outside the home of his parents in Durham.
Are you absolutely sure he was not seen wandering around in Durham on 19 April, Marr asks.
Shapps answers evasively and says because something is reported in newspapers doesn’t mean it is true, says he goes by statements from No 10.
Marr asks why Shapps has not spoken to Cummings about details of the journeys to Durham.
Shapps says he is the transport secretary.
“I’ve communicated but I haven’t spoken to him directly,” he said.
“I assume he would have taken every possible measure to ensure he was not infecting anybody,” Shapps says, but admits he doesn’t know.
Grant Shapps is now on the Marr show.
He says the lockdown rules apply to everyone, buty says not all theses measures “will be possible” to follow in certain circumstances. He mentions Cummings’ childcare issues again.
Marr reads out the governement’s guidance to him, which asks people not to leave their homes if they have symptoms “under any circumstances”, unless there is “an extreme risk to life”.
He asks whether there was an extreme risk to life in Cummings’ situation.
“They would have felt they had to put some measures in place,” Shapps said, stressing that Cummings’ four-year-old would not have been able to feed and bathe himself.
A fourth Conservative MP, Roger Gale, has called on Cummings to step down.