Row as officers say they DID speak to family

AN EXTRAORDINARY row between No 10 and Durham Police intensified yesterday after the force directly contradicted claims that no members of Dominic Cummings’s family had spoken to officers.

The force took the unusual step of naming the Prime Minister’s right-hand man in a statement clarifying that an officer had spoken to Mr Cummings’s father.

And it emerged that Robert Cummings, the adviser’s father, may have had a second conversation with police two weeks ago when a further allegation was made about his son being in the area.

On Saturday, Downing Street denied Durham officers had spoken to Mr Cummings or any member of his family.

But that evening, Durham police named Mr Cummings in a statement, confirming they had spoken to his father by telephone at his own request. Last night it was reported there was a second conversation between Mr Cummings senior and police around two weeks ago, following a further allegation about his son breaking lockdown rules by visiting a second time.

Regarding the second visit, a source told the Daily Telegraph: ‘Officers spoke to Mr Cummings senior to check if there was any truth in claims that his son was staying with him again.

‘The rumours had been circulating on social media... The officers were reassured it was not true and did not take the matter any further.’ Durham Constabulary’s statement clarifying Mr Cummings’s father had spoken to an officer went against College of Policing recommendations that suspects are not named before they are charged.

It is understood Robert Cummings had contacted the force to discuss security arrangements for his son’s visit.

During the conversation, an officer reportedly reminded him the journey would be in breach of lockdown rules and advised him on social distancing.