Johnson rejects call for inquiry into actions of adviser
BORIS Johnson is standing by his senior aide Dominic Cummings despite mounting Tory anger and plummeting poll ratings.
The Prime Minister rejected a call for Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to investigate Mr Cummings’ actions at the height of the coronavirus lockdown.
Mr Cummings drove from London to Durham to isolate with his family during the lockdown and says he subsequently took a trip to Barnard Castle to see if he was fit enough to drive before returning to the capital.
Mr Johnson, who was questioned by the Commons Liaison Committee on Wednesday, said: “Quite frankly I’m not certain – right now – that an inquiry into that matter is a very good use of official time. We are working flat out on coronavirus.”
Asked whether the Government’s “moral authority” had been undermined by Mr Cummings’ actions and his own defence of them, Mr Johnson said: “I, of course, am deeply sorry for all the hurt and pain and anxiety that people have been going through throughout this period – this country has been going through a frankly most difficult time.
“We are asking people to do quite exceptionally tough things, separating them from their families.”
Mr Johnson said he would not be adding to his previous comments on Mr Cummings and said the public wanted politicians to focus on “uniting our message” and “focusing on their needs”.
The Prime Minister used his appearance at the committee – made up of the chairmen and women of Commons select committees – to announce that NHS England’s test and trace system would be up and running from Thursday.
The scheme will see people who have been in contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.
Meanwhile, the toll of deaths linked to the virus rose to almost 48,000.
Mr Johnson’s defence of Mr Cummings came after a minister quit in protest and more than 30 Tory MPs publicly called for the controversial aide to leave his post.
A YouGov survey for The Times showed the Conservative lead over Labour had been cut by nine points during the Cummings saga – the biggest drop since 2010 – as support for the Government fell four points to 44%, with Labour rising five points to 38%.
In an indication of the difficulties Mr Cummings’ actions are causing at the top of Government, ministers were forced to deny that a review was being launched into fines issued to other people travelling with their families.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock used Tuesday’s Downing Street press conference to indicate he would consult the Treasury and “look at it”.
But on Wednesday morning Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said “there isn’t going to be a formal review” and the issuing of fines was a matter for the police.