Cummings and goings...

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This needs it’s own thread...

So Dominic Cummings was questioned by police for travelling to Durham to see his parents while he was symptomatic with the virus.

Calls for him to resign from the the opposition as well as some Tory MPs.

None story or will this cause havoc for the government?

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paulw123 said:

Sambucket said:

Lots of enemies. Lots of noise.

But too much favour. So swept under carpet with Arcuri and the rest.

That may well be the case but it shouldn’t be. He should be held accountable

He’s an unelected advisor, I can’t see how he’s held accountable in any way.

I’m struggling to see how they can make this go away, it’s not like they can just keep him away from the public eye to make people forget as he works in the shadows as it is.

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Sambucket said:

Just ignore it? Boris isn't doing interviews , doesn't need to. Where is the leverage? There are too many other fires to put out.

I'm not a tory, just to be clear!

The ignore it and hope it goes away strategy does seem to be working quite well for Boris at the moment.

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ClaphamGT3 said:

I suspect that this may well be how things pan out, albeit Johnson may be somewhat rattled by recent approval ratings for he, Starmer and Sunak

No PMQs for 2 weeks helps, no spotlight or grilling.

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danny0001uk1 said:

The UK prime minister's office has issued a statement saying his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, did not break any rules when he travelled to his family home even though he was suffering with the virus. Here's the full statement:

"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. 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."

Must be a big rug at 10 Downing Street

What!?!

How can an official Downing Street statement state that!? He travelled hundreds of miles while symptomatic, the guidelines were clear you must self isolate, he broke that, no matter which way you look at it.

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JagLover said:

Hippea said:

danny0001uk1 said:

The UK prime minister's office has issued a statement saying his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, did not break any rules when he travelled to his family home even though he was suffering with the virus. Here's the full statement:

"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. 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."

Must be a big rug at 10 Downing Street

What!?!

How can an official Downing Street statement state that!? He travelled hundreds of miles while symptomatic, the guidelines were clear you must self isolate, he broke that, no matter which way you look at it.

There was a caveat to the guidance as pointed out back on page 3.

Guidance of what to do if symptomatic

dot Gov said:

Stay at home
You and all household members should remain at home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis.

If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, and any exercise should be taken within your home. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house became ill.

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you will need to ask friends or relatives. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home.

If you are an employee and unable to work due to coronavirus (COVID-19), please refer to this guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions to find out about the support that is available to you.

If you are living with children.Keep following this advice to the best of your ability, however, we are aware that not all these measures will be possible

What we have seen so far is that children with coronavirus (COVID-19) appear to be less severely affected. It is nevertheless important to do your best to follow this guidance.

I think what he did is pushing the nature of that clause by some don’t you think?

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It will be interesting to see the response from Starmer on this. No doubt he will be looking at the details on what the guidelines said and whether he broke them or not.

The ‘humanising’ of Cummings by the likes of Gove and Raab on Twitter it’s a bit vomit inducing I must say.

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Brave Fart said:

I suppose if one was representing one's client, Mr Cummings, in court, one would argue that:

• the 264 mile point is irrelevant, since the Regulations make no mention of distance
• Mr Cummings was not unwell at the time but feared that he and/or his wife soon might be
• seeking medical assistance is expressly stated as a reasonable excuse in the Regulations
• assisting a vulnerable person (a child, in this case) is also permitted by the Regulations
• Government guidance separate to the Regulations is just that, an expression of official opinion

That seems to be the path the PM's office is following.

That may be the case for if he is being held account in a court of law.

I think what will be more telling is his/governments trial by the media and public which will determine the outcome. Whether he broke the law doesn’t matter as much with this more whether he took the complete and utter piss.

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abzmike said:

I wonder which unfortunate sod is fronting the press briefing this afternoon...

It’s a Saturday so I’d imagine it won’t be one of the big hitters, just someone to repeat the same scripted message to every answer like has been the case for the past few weeks.

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Unknown_User said:

You might also consider whether the spirit of the lockdown and associated protection of the British public (especially the more vulnerable members of our society) were ignored by Dom Cum? And whether the Gov right in closing ranks to defend their special advisor?

Exactly!

The law aspect of lockdown was always played down by the government. There was a much stronger appeal to us following guidance for the greater good, coming together etc etc

Short answer is, Cummings broke the spirit of lockdown

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crankedup said:

It will go away when a bigger political story emerges, tabloid editors are desperate for some ste to fill their daily rags.

I remember the same remarks from people back in January about the virus.....those that expressed it was more serious were declared tinfoil hat wearing st stirrers.

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bobbo89 said:

I honestly couldn't give two tiny fks about what he's done but what I find incredible is that he actually did it.

He's an intelligent media savvy bloke and it just seems bizarre that he'd do this thinking no-one would pick up on it, especially being who he is!!

I think he’s the type of guy who doesn’t care and thinks he untouchable.

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G_Morto said:

People were screaming for Sturgeon’s head when Catherine Calderwood went against her own advice.

Some Tory hypocrisy and silence are now clear to see for everyone.

At least Dr Calderwood first apologised for breaking the rules; Cummings is claiming his lockdown rule break was justified, despite actually being far worse.

Exactly this! The key factor in this is that he and his wife were symptomatic. What Calderwood did was wrong but she wasn’t ill and arguably what she did didn’t put anyone at risk, it was just against the guidelines and spirit of lockdown.

What Cummings did put people at risk!

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bobbo89 said:

Eric Mc said:

If it WASN'T Dominic Cummings, would ministers be defending such actions by an ordinary citizen?

They wouldn't need to as if it wasn't Dominic Cummings no-one would have batted an eyelid...

Saying for sake it was Starmer who did it I think the Tories would be in overdrive in condemnation and calling for a resignation.

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Fatball said:

Don’t like the guy, I think he’s a dick, but if he went for the reasons explained I couldn’t care less. Political point scoring and people who don’t like him will jump on it.

Even if he passed it onto someone along the way such as at a petrol station and that person ended up dying or someone they passed it onto went on to die....

His actions were inexcusable

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bobbo89 said:

markyb_lcy said:

Neil Ferguson
Robert Jenrick
Catherine Calderwood

Two of these resigned (some of their positions) and one of them was forced to apologise.

None of them are Dominic Cummings.

Maybe I should have said that if it was a member of the public that no-one would have batted an eyelid

Local Facebook groups in my area are full of people naming and shaming people for breaking the guidelines, for doing a lot less than Cummings did.

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Fatball said:

Hippea said:

Even if he passed it onto someone along the way such as at a petrol station and that person ended up dying or someone they passed it onto went on to die....

His actions were inexcusable

Not interested in what if’s either.

It’s a completely plausible thing that may very well have happened but there is no way of proving it.

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markyb_lcy said:

Yep, and conservative ministers are probably now rather privately angry with him (for giving them a scandal they need to weather) whilst at the same time needing to be publicly supportive.

There was one unnamed minister to call him out, quoted in the guardian article.

I think a large proportion of the Conservative Party are not a fan of Cummings. Some have been vocal but many will remain silent to toe the party line.

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Brave Fart said:

Sad situation, what are we coming to? Anyway the law quite clearly states you can "visit a burial ground to pay respects to a family member or friend." And of course the law applies to us all, equally. Your neighbour could, and should, make the trip as many times as he wishes; meanwhile the police are, yet again, wrong.

Was that stated in the original lockdown guidance or the amended loosening last week?

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Sambucket said:

Sorry if a repost, but worth a repost I think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnFTQN7tlrw

"Not a good look".... the spin is already working if that's the best line of attack.

Wow! That’s going to help him.

I’m guessing if he drove his Land Rover, presuming it had a full tank it would have had sufficient range to get to Durham quite easily without having to fill up.