Minister drives 150 miles to second home
A CABINET minister leading the Government’s fight against coronavirus last night admitted travelling 150 miles from London to his second home where he is now livng with his family.
Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary who has been urging people to stay indoors and follow social distancing rules, is now staying in Herefordshire, hundreds of miles from London, where he reportedly owns a home. His Newark constituency, where he is said to rent a property, is around 125 miles from Herefordshire.
The Daily Mail last night reported he moved to the Grade I-listed Herefordshire mansion after travel to second homes was banned. Mr Jenrick said his wife and children were staying in the property before lockdown measures were announced. He claimed that the family consider their Herefordshire home to be their primary residence.
The revelation is embarrassing to the Government which has been telling people not to visit second homes to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
The Government’s coronavirus advice, published on March 23, states: “Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People should remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk.”
Mr Jenrick also reportedly owns a townhouse near the Houses of Parliament and rents a property in his Newark constituency, for which he charges taxpayers £2,000 a month.
He also travelled 40 miles to visit his elderly parents in Shropshire at the weekend. The Guardian reported that Mr Jenrick was seen by a witness in his parents’ front garden.
The Government’s instructions on seeing parents say that “where your relatives are elderly or vulnerable, you may leave your house to help them, for example by dropping shopping or medication at their door. You can also help them to order online.”
Mr Jenrick said last night: “My house in Herefordshire is the place I, my wife and my young children consider to be our family home, and my family were there before any restrictions on travel were announced.
“I have been working in London on ministerial duties, putting in place the system to shield the group most vulnerable to coronavirus and organising the response at a local level.
“Once I was able to work from home, it was right that I went home to do so and be with my wife and also help care for my three young children.”