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Boris Johnson's top aide visited parents while having symptoms of COVID-19

WION Web Team
London, EnglandUpdated: May 23, 2020, 03:54 PM IST
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File photo: Cummings and Johnson Photograph:(Reuters)

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The main opposition Labour party demanded a 'swift explanation' by Boris Johnson for Cummings' actions, saying the reports suggested Cummings viewed himself as above the law, while the smaller Liberal Democrats said it could be a resigning issue.

One of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top advisers, Dominic Cummings, drew police attention after allegedly breaking the coronavirus lockdown, reports said Friday.

Dominic Cummings travelled hundreds of miles from London to County Durham during the lockdown when he had coronavirus symptoms.

Cummings and his wife went to his parents' home to self-isolate, a source close to the PM's chief aide said.

The main opposition Labour party demanded a "swift explanation" by Boris Johnson for Cummings' actions, saying the reports suggested Cummings viewed himself as above the law, while the smaller Liberal Democrats said it could be a resigning issue.

"If accurate, the prime minister's chief adviser appears to have breached the lockdown rules. The government's guidance was very clear: stay at home and no non-essential travel," a spokesman said.

"The British people do not expect there to be one rule for them and another rule for Dominic Cummings." 

Police in Durham confirmed they received a tip-off on March 31 about someone who had travelled to the city from London.

"Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house," the force said in a statement.

"In line with national policing guidance, officers explained to the family the guidelines around self-isolation and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel."

Cummings was later spotted near his parents' home with a small child, believed to be his son, the report said.

At the time, Johnson's government was advising people to only go out for essential purposes to slow the spread of coronavirus, and for anyone with symptoms to stay at home.

Cummings was a key member of the 2016 Brexit campaign alongside Johnson, and the latter brought him into Downing Street when he took office last year.