Where is the man’s moral integrity?

IN response to your question, I suggest that if the man had any moral integrity he would have resigned.

Remember at the time of his trip to Durham we were in serious lockdown. Millions of people in the UK were suffering real hardship and heartbreak but were acting in the national interest and staying at home, often against their protective instincts towards friends and family.

Meanwhile, Mr Cummings drove his symptomatic wife and child to a second home in case he too became infected and they might struggle to care for the child. Others in similar or far more challenging circumstances stayed at home as instructed. Across the UK voluntary networks, local authorities, friends and families are primed to support exactly these circumstances in a safe and effective way.

Mrs Cummings, who is a journalist, wrote an article about their experience which conveniently did not mention that they had not stayed in London. Quite the opposite. It also gave no indication of real concern for any family member’s safety.

As for the trip to Barnard Castle on Mrs Cumming’s birthday, allegedly to test Mr Cumming’s eyesight in readiness for the drive back to London the next day... really, do Mr Johnson and he take us for such fools?

After watching the press briefing in the rose garden I felt even less convinced that Mr Cummings understands the significance of his actions given the key role he occupies. As we move further into the release of lockdown measures the South West will face many challenges. Trust and confidence in new public health messages will be critical. The new app, which appears to have sunk without trace somewhere off the Isle of Wight, was supposed to offer a tried and tested way forward, together with manual contact tracing. By his behaviour and disregard of his own messaging, Mr Cummings has set the poorest of examples and deserves to be sacked. A Ballatti via email