Leader slams ‘selfish actions of Cummings’

The leader of Sunderland City Council has hit out at Boris Johnson over the Government’s handling of the Dominic Cummings row, saying it has undermined ‘the most important public health message in living memory’.

Coun Graeme Miller has criticisedDowningStreet’sdecision to support its most senior advisor his trip to County Durham during the coronavirus lockdown and fears it has given others “carte blanche” to follow suit.

He said: “During the coronavirus pandemic, I have seen themostincredibleactsofselflessness and sacrifice.

“People in this city, putting themselvesinharm’swayeach andeveryday,toensureothers survive this dreadful illness; families, desperate to spend time together, but knowing the way to demonstrate how much they love each other is to remain apart.

“For most families in Sunderland, and indeed across the country, the sheer recklessness and selfishness of Dominic Cummings’ actions - carrying a deadly virus halfway across the country and flagrantly flouting rules he helped devise - will stick in their throat. And rightly so.”

Coun Miller, who is also the leader of Sunderland Labour Group, also said he is concernedoverreportsofSeaburn and Roker beaches being busy over the weekend, amid fears social distancing was not always being observed.

He added: “Sunderland’s people have so diligently stuck totherulessincelockdownwas imposed – and that is to their credit. But there can be little doubt that the Government’s new messaging, ‘stay alert’ is so vague that it’s meaningless.

“I am asking residents to please, carry on looking out for others and do not follow the actions of Cummings.”