Dominic Cummings’s behaviour has cast doubt on the soundness of his wider judgments

sir – By his own account, Dominic Cummings is a very busy man who makes a large number of important decisions each day that affect the lives of every person in this country.

His defence of his actions was threadbare and hypocritical, and showed an extraordinary lack of intellectual, moral and emotional judgment. Is this the kind of person we want advising the Government?

Dr Nigel Hurst FRCP Luppitt, Devon

sir – Dominic Cummings’s enemies display the same lack of compassion they ascribe to him – no hint of understanding or sympathy for a father and his family. What happened to our new, caring society?

Ian Priestley East Leake, Nottinghamshire

sir – Am I the only one who doesn’t mind if there is “one set of rules for us and another for them?” The people at the top of the Government, and their advisers, are working under great pressure to steer us through this crisis. It is fair to give them some flexibility.

If Mr Cummings needed to drive north to be sure of satisfactory child care, that is fine by me. As long as he hasn’t furloughed his regular childcarer and didn’t claim travel expenses, we should leave him alone.

Denis Sharp Tickenham, Somerset

sir – As a parent, I sympathise with Mr Cummings: we always want to do the right thing for our children.

However, the fact is that his actions will result in large numbers of people believing they can interpret the rules to suit their own circumstances. This, in turn, could lead us back into lockdown, with all the economic and personal tragedy that will bring.

Clearly Mr Johnson weighed this up and decided to keep his adviser on board. That is deeply worrying.

Mike Carter Hove, East Sussex

sir – I was unable to visit my elderly father, who lived just three miles away from me, before he died at home in April, owing to the lockdown rules.

Having heard the Prime Minister’s defence of Mr Cummings – that he had followed the instincts of any father – I wish I had followed my instincts as a loving son.

Dr Millan Sachania Chertsey, Surrey

sir – Just to clarify: if you have a problem with your eyesight, should you climb into a powerful car, pack your family – whose health and safety are apparently your prime concerns – in the back and drive 60 miles to see whether or not you can do so safely?

The Government advised us to use common sense. Words fail me.

Lin Lascelles Bridport, Dorset

sir – I was under the impression that Mr Cummings was a bit odd, not least because of how the media portrayed him. However, at the press conference, I thought he was calm, articulate and professional. We need more people like that.

Doug Harris Stockton-on-tees, Co Durham

sir – Mr Cummings’s emergence at the press conference half an hour late added insult to injury.

Fiona Wild Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

sir – A man who goes to work every day at No 10 unshaven and wearing a T-shirt and ill-fitting trousers displays the kind of arrogance that might make him think he can do as he likes.

Philip Ryder-davies Woodbridge, Suffolk

sir – A man breaks the rules for the sake of his child and wife and is condemned by the press. When he leaves his home, photographers and reporters crowd round him. What happened to social distancing? Is it a different rule for them?

Yvonne Bernstein London N20