UK PM BACKS AIDE OVER LOCKDOWN BREACH

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday launched a staunch defence of his chief aide, Dominic Cummings, despite growing calls to fire the adviser for breaking lockdown rules.

Johnson said Cummings, who travelled more than 400km from his London home to seek care for his four-year-old child when he was supposed to be self-isolating, had acted in a reasonable way.

“When he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father and every parent and I do not mark him down for that,” Johnson said at a press conference from 10 Downing Street.

“I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly and legally and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.” Intense pressure had mounted on Johnson after new details emerged of his chief adviser breaching lockdown norms . Ruling Conservative party MPs, opposition leaders and tens of thousands of ordinary Britons demanded his ouster. Transport secretary Grant Shapps faced a tough time earlier on Sunday as he tried to defend Cummings, who travelled to Durham in end of March after he and his wife showed symptoms of the virus – breaching official advice to “stay home”.

One rule for the people and another for those in power, Labour leaders and other protested, even as some cabinet ministers defended Cummings’ actions. Several ruling Conservative MPs broke ranks on Sunday to call for his resignation. An online petition titled ‘Dominic Cummings must be sacked’ gathered over 61,000 signatures.