Boris Johnson under pressure to sack top aide for COVID-19 lockdown breach

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under pressure to sack his top aide after reports that he breached the coronavirus stay-at-home lockdown rules by travelling to his parents’ home.

Dominic Cummings, who is Johnson’s Chief Strategy Adviser at No. 10 Downing Street, had developed coronavirus symptoms around the same time the UK prime minister tested positive for the deadly virus at the end of March.

According to UK media reports, he and his wife travelled from London over 260 miles to his parents’ home in

Durham, north-east England, during that time.

In a statement, Downing Street on Saturday said Cummings believed he “behaved reasonably and legally” and that his actions were in line with the coronavirus guidelines.

The government’s strict social distancing rules in place at the time called on people not to travel as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID19. And, the advice for anyone with coronavirus symptoms remains to self-isolate at home and not leave even for essential supplies for seven days.

A member of the public is understood to have seen Cummings and made a complaint to the local Durham police, a joint investigation by the Guardian’ and Mirror’ newspapers revealed. On Tuesday, March 31, our officers were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city, a spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said.

Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house. In line with national policing guidance, officers explained to the family the guidelines around self-isolation and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel, the spokesperson said.

Opposition parties demanded a “clear explanation” from Downing Street for Cummings’ actions.