Hancock defends self-isolation policy despite top aide furore
More than 30 Tory MPs call for Cummings to resign Minister says he understands anger over trip
HEALTH SECRETARY Matt Hancock has defended asking the public to self-isolate in the test and trace programme despite the backlash over the actions of the Prime Minister’s top aide Dominic Cummings.
Taking the daily briefing in Downing Street yesterday, Mr Hancock said he understood the “anger that some people feel” over Mr Cummings taking a 260mile journey to Durham – and an excursion to the town of Barnard Castle to test his eyesight – over fears he and his wife would be unable to care for their child should they be struck down with coronavirus.
And after a question from a member of the public he said the Government would look into now cancelling any fines incurred by those in similar circumstances.
Mr Hancock said he would enquire with colleagues and added: “It’s a very good question and we do understand the impact and the need for making sure that children get adequate childcare, that is one of the significant concerns that we have had all the way through this.”
On Mr Cummings himself, Mr Hancock said: “I regret the anger that some people feel and Mr
Cummings himself said that – with hindsight – he should have got all the facts out earlier.”
But he said his focus was on the next steps in tackling the crisis.
More than 30 Conservative MPs have now called on Mr Cummings to resign, while some 71 per cent of Britons believe Mr Cummings broke the lockdown and 59 per cent think he should resign, according to a snap poll of 1,160 adults by YouGov after the aide’s defence.
North Yorkshire County Council leader Councillor Carl Les said Mr Cummings had answered questions and his continuance in the job was a matter for the Prime Minister to decide upon. The authority’s deputy leader, Councillor Gareth Dadd, said he “did not want to get involved in Westminster issues”.
Mr Hancock meanwhile urged members of the public to comply with the testing programme due to launch next week. He said: “They’re not doing it for me, people are doing this for their loved ones.
“If you’re phoned up and asked to self-isolate even though you’re perfectly healthy because you’ve been in close contact with somebody who’s tested positive, then it’s your civic duty to then selfisolate, for yourself, for your community, for your family, and we all need to come together to do this.”
However Labour said “the last 48 hours have presented a confused picture” and questions were asked over how the Government
could in one breath ask the public to stick to the guidelines while in the next defending Mr Cummings.
Mr Hancock said: “My view is that what he did was within the guidelines. I can understand why reasonable people can take a different view, but my judgment, which is the same as the Prime Minister’s judgment, is that what Mr Cummings did was within the guidelines.
“After all, the guidelines allow for exceptional circumstances, particularly with regards to childcare and we’ve stated before that if you’re unable to look after a small child, that is an exceptional circumstance.”
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said “recent developments suggest that clarity around public health messaging may no longer constitute a key government priority”.
If you’re asked...then it’s your civic duty to self-isolate.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock.