Johnson risks party wrath to back aide who crossed UK during lockdown

By Costas Pitas and Elizabeth Piper

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Downing Street following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed his senior adviser Dominic Cummings on Sunday, despite calls from within his own Conservative Party for the aide to resign for driving 250 miles during the coronavirus lockdown.

 

Cummings, architect of the 2016 campaign to leave the EU, came under pressure when newspapers reported he had travelled from London to northern England in March when his wife was ill with COVID-19 symptoms during a nationwide lockdown.

 

With Johnson's words that he had acted with integrity, Cummings was safe, at least for now. But the row in the governing Conservatives looks set to rumble on.

 

"I've had extensive face-to-face conversations with Dominic Cummings," Johnson told a news conference, saying his aide had followed the "instincts of every father" when he travelled with his wife for help with childcare while isolating.

 

"I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly and legally and with integrity."

 

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, described Johnson's decision to take no action against Cummings as "an insult to the sacrifices made by the British people".

 

"This was a test of the prime minister and he has failed it," Starmer said in a statement.

 

A divisive figure, Cummings is seen by allies and enemies alike as Johnson's most important and influential strategist.

 

Over the weekend, Downing Street and senior ministers all backed him, an early signal of their reluctance to succumb to the demands from several Conservatives, who said they had received angry messages from voters over the trips.

 

Johnson's office said Cummings made the 400 km (250 mile) journey after his wife showed symptoms, to ensure his 4-year-old son could be properly cared for by relatives if he too fell ill.

 

The newspapers have since reported that Cummings was seen in northern England on other occasions. The government has denied this and Johnson did not answer a question about whether he knew about the additional trips.

 

The trips have fuelled anger among the millions who have stuck to the government's coronavirus guidelines that a person who displays symptoms must stay home for seven days, with the rest of that person's household doing the same for 14 days.

 

Johnson said he understood "why people might feel so confused" but "really having looked at what happened, I really think most people will understand what he was doing."

 

Some Conservatives broke ranks on Sunday to call for Cummings to go. Several said they had been inundated with messages from furious constituents who had obeyed the rules under great personal hardship.

 

"As much as I despise any baying pitchfork-led trials by social media, I'm unconvinced by the PM's defence of Cummings," tweeted Conservative lawmaker David Warburton.

 

One prominent Conservative activist, Tim Montgomerie, said on Twitter: "Tonight, I'm really embarrassed to have ever backed Boris Johnson for high office."

 

(Reporting by Costas Pitas, Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton, Andy Bruce and Guy Faulconbridge; writing by Elizabeth Piper and Costas Pitas, Editing by Toby Chopra and Peter Graff)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-25

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

British politics is as stink as American. 

Johnson should tell the guys shut the XXXX up and get on their life.

Further revelations in the next few days will keep up the pressure, probably Gove stirring it up in the background.

Why should the masses listen to anything they are told to do when these jerks think that the rules do not apply to them.

People should just go out and do what they want.

Same as that tosser did.

1 minute ago, Malawi said:

Why should the masses listen to anything they are told to do when these jerks think that the rules do not apply to them.

People should just go out and do what they want.

Same as that tosser.

I drove further after arriving in heathrow on a repatriation flight.

 

This guy who's wife had symptoms drove to isolate in a house nearby extended family, so that if they were to become seriously unwell the extended family could look after their child. They were in a separate property and had food placed on the door step - Domonic Cummings executed common sense.

 

London to Durham is about 4 to 4.5 hours drive the press headline is a hyperbolae and tells us all we need to know about the exaggeration and bias in what seems to be a witch-hunt.

 

Don't let crappy press politics get in the way of what is really a 'non-story' - which is someone ensuring they had their bases covered while self quarantining.

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I drove further after arriving in heathrow on a repatriation flight.

 

This guy who's wife had symptoms drove to isolate in a house nearby extended family, so that if they were to become seriously unwell the extended family could look after their child. They were in a separate property and had food placed on the door step - Domonic Cummings executed common sense.

 

London to Durham is about 4 to 4.5 hours drive the press headline is a hyperbolae and tells us all we need to know about the exaggeration and bias in what seems to be a witch-hunt.

 

Don't let crappy press politics get in the way of what is really a 'non-story' - which is someone ensuring they had their bases covered while self quarantining.

 

 

 

It appears Cummings as you say exercised common sense.

Something which those people determined to have a go at Boris dont take into account, just get stuck in, have a go, just normal behaviour for some.

Gove is helping to stir things up because he has his eyes on the top job.

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I drove further after arriving in heathrow on a repatriation flight.

 

This guy who's wife had symptoms drove to isolate in a house nearby extended family, so that if they were to become seriously unwell the extended family could look after their child. They were in a separate property and had food placed on the door step - Domonic Cummings executed common sense.

 

London to Durham is about 4 to 4.5 hours drive the press headline is a hyperbolae and tells us all we need to know about the exaggeration and bias in what seems to be a witch-hunt.

 

Don't let crappy press politics get in the way of what is really a 'non-story' - which is someone ensuring they had their bases covered while self quarantining.

 

 

 

He had relatives in London. The government are a shambles and have been for months. Practice what you preach, no exceptions.

1 hour ago, Retarded said:

British politics is as stink as American. 

Johnson should tell the guys shut the XXXX up and get on their life.

The knives are out for Boris exactly like the lefty abuse Trump has to deal with. 

 

Sad... 

1 minute ago, colinneil said:

It appears Cummings as you say exercised common sense.

Something which those people determined to have a go at Boris dont take onto account, just get stuck in, have a go, just normal behaviour for some.

Gove is helping to stir things up because he has his eyes on the top job.

Gove is playing a blinder, doesn't get involved in the daily briefings, once I think so far. Probably tipped of the press and in pole position to topple Boris.

2 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Practice what you preach, no exceptions.

Wasn't Corbyn supposed to be at home self isolating as a frail over 70 year old? Yet he was still playing miniMarx at the commons often. One rule for thee, one for me. A hallmark of UK's Labour party.

 

If I remember from the beginning, Cummings open said he wanted herd immunity. The left had an epic wobbly over this, so the govt then had to go through all this smoke and mirrors lockdown, and presumably one day soon will have to say "OK Cummings was right all along, we can't all hide at home forever". We trashed the economy for nothing. Total tragedy the way the govt was not allowed to tackle covid due to panicking millenials unable to face reality.

3 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

The knives are out for Boris exactly like the lefty abuse Trump has to deal with. 

 

Sad... 

If you play with fire you will get burnt. Nothing sad, politics is a hard game, he should have fired Cummings. It's the British tradition, when you get caught out then you do the honourable thing and resign or get sacked.

3 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Wasn't Corbyn supposed to be at home self isolating as a frail over 70 year old? Yet he was still playing miniMarx at the commons often. One rule for thee, one for me. A hallmark of UK's Labour party.

 

If I remember from the beginning, Cummings open said he wanted herd immunity. The left had an epic wobbly over this, so the govt then had to go through all this smoke and mirrors lockdown, and presumably one day soon will have to say "OK Cummings was right all along, we can't all hide at home forever". We trashed the economy for nothing. Total tragedy the way the govt was not allowed to tackle covid due to panicking millenials unable to face reality.

It was Prof Neill Ferguson's 500,000 deaths modelling that changed the course.

Cummings son has autism

 

Here's the advice given by the government published 9th April 

 

The Government has now published new guidance making clear that, if you’re autistic or have a learning disability, you can leave your home more than once a day and travel beyond your local area if this is important to your health. If you need carers with you, they don’t have to stay the two metres apart from you that is usually required by social distancing.

 

https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2020-04-09-guidance-on-exercise-coronavirus.aspx

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"I've had extensive face-to-face conversations with Dominic Cummings,"

The New Normal, Mr. Johnson, is "mask-to-mask conversations". You of all people should have learned the lesson... 

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I drove further after arriving in heathrow on a repatriation flight.

 

This guy who's wife had symptoms drove to isolate in a house nearby extended family, so that if they were to become seriously unwell the extended family could look after their child. They were in a separate property and had food placed on the door step - Domonic Cummings executed common sense.

 

London to Durham is about 4 to 4.5 hours drive the press headline is a hyperbolae and tells us all we need to know about the exaggeration and bias in what seems to be a witch-hunt.

 

Don't let crappy press politics get in the way of what is really a 'non-story' - which is someone ensuring they had their bases covered while self quarantining.

 

 

 

If he was at all concerned about the "big picture" There is all the help and assistance in his home vacinity to look after his son if they became to sick. There was no need to carry out that journey and break rules of lockdown, apart from his big headedness.  

3 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Wasn't Corbyn supposed to be at home self isolating as a frail over 70 year old? Yet he was still playing miniMarx at the commons often. One rule for thee, one for me. A hallmark of UK's Labour party.

 

If I remember from the beginning, Cummings open said he wanted herd immunity. The left had an epic wobbly over this, so the govt then had to go through all this smoke and mirrors lockdown, and presumably one day soon will have to say "OK Cummings was right all along, we can't all hide at home forever". We trashed the economy for nothing. Total tragedy the way the govt was not allowed to tackle covid due to panicking millenials unable to face reality.

“If I remember from the beginning, Cummings open said he wanted herd immunity.”

 

Correct, an unelected psychopath orders the UK’s callous and failed herd immunity experiment.

 

“The left had an epic wobbly over this, so the govt then had to go through all this smoke and mirrors lockdown”

 

Incorrect, it was epidemiologists at University College London who exposed the inevitable death count of the herd immunity experiment.

 

You’ll have to get over the idea that the ‘opposition parties’ ‘oppose’ Government, it’s a principle of Britain’s Parliamentary democracy.

 

 

 

I tend to think the general consensus will be one rule for them, one rule for us.

 

Won't do Boris any favours, other politicians in different countries who were caught out had the decency to resign. 

 

 

BoJo is a fricking disgrace. He's as false as a 3 pound note. One rule for them and one rule for us. 

I am not a Brit but I follow UK news. I am also not a fan of Boris or Cummings but when I first read about this I though: Ok, Cummings did something he should not have done. So if that was illegal then he should pay a fine, probably like many others. But I thought he should not lose his job because of that mistake. Not that I like his politics but it seems Boris thinks he does a good job.

 

And then was Boris press conference telling everybody that Cummings didn't do anything wrong. Strange...

What I don't understand is why Boris didn't say something like: Cummings made a mistake. He shouldn't have done it. But he is a trusted advisor and I won't fire him because of one mistake.

I think many people would have accepted something like that. But no, that is not what Boris said.

 

This is a wonderful article about the man in charge.

"Look on the bright side: at least we’ve had it confirmed who is actually running the country these days. And it isn’t the prime minister."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/24/no-dignity-no-future-boris-forsakes-leadership-to-protect-cummings
 

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am not a Brit but I follow UK news. I am also not a fan of Boris or Cummings but when I first read about this I though: Ok, Cummings did something he should not have done. So if that was illegal then he should pay a fine, probably like many others. But I thought he should not lose his job because of that mistake. Not that I like his politics but it seems Boris thinks he does a good job.

 

And then was Boris press conference telling everybody that Cummings didn't do anything wrong. Strange...

What I don't understand is why Boris didn't say something like: Cummings made a mistake. He shouldn't have done it. But he is a trusted advisor and I won't fire him because of one mistake.

I think many people would have accepted something like that. But no, that is not what Boris said.

 

This is a wonderful article about the man in charge.

"Look on the bright side: at least we’ve had it confirmed who is actually running the country these days. And it isn’t the prime minister."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/24/no-dignity-no-future-boris-forsakes-leadership-to-protect-cummings
 

There is a distinct possibility that Johnson can't fire him.

Cummings knows where the skeletons are hidden.

Just now, Rookiescot said:

There is a distinct possibility that Johnson can't fire him.

Cummings knows where the skeletons are hidden.

And what should Boris do without him? Think for himself and work all day long?

Nothing changes " one law for the rich and one law for the poor".

Coming to a Netflix near you shortly......

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Johnson risks party wrath to back aide who crossed UK during lockdown

Not just once, but several times, apparently. 

The effect of DCummings' activities is that The Great Unwashed in the UK will no longer be inclined to follow The Lockdown Rules.

 

  --  *Everyone* had "personal reasons" for wanting to break The L-Rules, but most people didn't.  -  One way or another, they made their sacrifices.

 

But what they have learned from/had confirmed by "Our Betters" in the past few days is that The Personal now overrules The Public-Good. 

2 hours ago, Keesters said:

Petty squabbling. They should be concentrating on more important matters like the rise in illegal migrants helped across the channel by France. 

Why? Not important at all.

5 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Gove is playing a blinder, doesn't get involved in the daily briefings, once I think so far. Probably tipped of the press and in pole position to topple Boris.

That makes no sense this side of the date we're finally shot of the EU.

2 hours ago, Magenta408 said:

BoJo is a fricking disgrace. He's as false as a 3 pound note. One rule for them and one rule for us. 

As is trial by media.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

"I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly and legally and with integrity."

sure, because you/him say it, come on get real

Tell that to the families of the dead ones and the ones he potentially infected during is back and forth journeys, hope none of them were your relatives or friends

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Johnson said he understood "why people might feel so confused" but "really having looked at what happened, I really think most people will understand what he was doing."

There is no confusion johnson, he chose breaking the rules because his arrogance leads him to believe they don’t apply to him.