Police investigate Cummings after ‘new information’

Durham force says it must show it is ‘independent of government but answerable to the law’

DOMINIC CUMMINGS is facing a police investigation after travelling from London to his parents’ home in the North East at the height of lockdown.

Durham Police has confirmed it is examining a number of complaints after receiving “fresh information” alleging Boris Johnson’s most senior aide breached the Covid-19 laws.

The force issued a third statement clarifying that officers had not discussed the coronavirus lockdown when it spoke to Mr Cummings’ father Robert on April 1.

The statement confirmed that Robert Cummings had told officers that his son was staying at his property and that he and his wife were displaying signs of coronavirus and were self-isolating.

The statement went on: “We can further confirm that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard. Our officer did, however, provide the family with advice on security issues.”

In a lengthy statement delivered in the garden of 10 Downing Street yesterday, Mr Cummings set out his reasons for making the 260-mile journey on March 27.

He also admitted making a 30-mile journey on April 12, his wife’s birthday, to the market town of Barnard Castle, where they got out the car by a river for 15 minutes with their four-year-old son.

But he told reporters that the reason for the journey had been because he feared coronavirus had affected his vision and he wanted to check he was fit to drive before making the long journey back to London. Durham Police said: “We can confirm that over the last few days Durham Constabulary has received further information and complaints from members of the public and we are reviewing and examining that information.”

The investigation is expected to focus on whether he had a “reasonable excuse” to make the journeys, both to Durham and to Barnard Castle.

Under the Health Protection Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations, which became law on March 26, “no person may leave the house where they live without reasonable excuse”. Those found to have breached regulations can receive a fixed penalty notice or even be prosecuted, but most are given advice. Mr Cummings could now be interviewed by police as part of their inquiry to establish whether his reasons for venturing out were “reasonable”.

The investigation comes after Durham’s acting police and crime commissioner, Steve White, wrote to his chief constable, Jo Farrell, urging her to launch a criminal investigation.

Mr White said: “I am confident that thus far, Durham police has responded proportionately and appropriately to the issues raised concerning Mr Cummings and his visit to the county at the end of March.”

He added: “I have today written to the chief constable, asking her to establish the facts concerning any potential breach of the law or regulations in this matter at any juncture.

“It is vital that the force can show it has the interests of the people of County Durham and Darlington at its heart, so that the model of policing by consent, independent of government but answerable to the law, is maintained.”

Mr Johnson has backed his most senior aide, insisting he acted “responsibly, legally and with integrity”.

Mr Cummings’s trip to Barnard Castle came to light when Robin Lees, a retired chemistry teacher, spotted him walking by the river on Easter Sunday.

He lodged a formal complaint to Durham Police at the weekend.