Now police launch probe into breach of lockdown
POLICE began investigating yesterday whether Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules after they were deluged with witness reports and complaints.
Durham Police is examining allegations that the Prime Minister’s chief adviser broke the law following intense pressure from its own police and crime commissioner, its ex-chief constable and scores of residents.
Locals said they were ‘livid’ after Mr Cummings faced no police action for driving 260 miles from London to County Durham, where his parents live, during tough lockdown restrictions in March.
A spokesman for the force 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.’
Witnesses say they saw Mr Cummings at Barnard Castle, a local beauty spot 30 miles from his parents’ estate, where he claims to have driven to test whether his eyesight was good enough to make the return trip to London.
Furious locals claim his actions undermined their attempts to stick to the rules. Judith Phillips, 71, said he should be sacked, adding: ‘Get rid of him... it’s an absolute disgrace. A lot of people are angry. My family is absolutely livid.’
Durham’s own crime commissioner said the issue risked damaging ‘trust and public confidence’ in the force and in the ability of officers all over the country to enforce the lockdown.
Steve White, acting Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner, said there was a ‘plethora’ of new witness accounts.
He urged Chief Constable Jo Farrell to ‘establish the facts concerning any potential breach of the law or regulations in this matter’ by sending an officer to speak to Mr Cummings.
Mr White said: ‘It is vital that the force can show it has the interests of the people of County Durham at its heart.’
The number of fines for breaking lockdown rules issued by Durham Constabulary is low compared with other forces, and it is only expected to give Mr Cummings advice if he is found to have overstepped the mark.
Mr White added: ‘This has become a big public issue about the trust and confidence in the force, and its about our ability to police the lockdown. That’s why it is so important to establish the facts.’
Former Durham chief constable Mike Barton said: ‘Policing the lockdown has probably been one of the toughest assignments given to police. We are in the middle of a national emergency and people who make the rules cannot break the rules.’
Attorney General Suella Braverman defended Mr Cummings, tweeting: ‘Protecting one’s family is what any good parent does.’
However, Shadow Attorney General Lord Falconer QC accused her of undermining the political independence of her office, adding: ‘Your tweet appears to side with Mr Cummings. It looks clear that your tweet was part of politically orchestrated campaign in support of Mr Cummings.’
Martin Surl, Gloucestershire’s crime commissioner, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Durham’s failure to tackle Mr Cummings on the issue undermined the ability of officers elsewhere to deal with those breaking lockdown rules.
He added: ‘This will be quoted back at them time and time again when they try to enforce the rules. It makes a mockery of police action when the message was very clear – “Stay at home”.’