Durham police boss calls on chief constable to 'establish facts' after Dominic Cummings' visit to county during coronavirus lockdown

Durham’s acting police commissioner has called on the force’s chief constable to “establish the facts” surrounding Dominic Cummings’ visit to the county during the early stages of the Covid-19 lockdown.
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In a statement released on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, acting Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Steve White said that he has asked Chief Constable Jo Farrell to look into any “potential breach of the law or regulations” surrounding a visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior aide, which took place in March.

Mr Cummings travelled to County Durham in March to self-isolate with his family – reportedly because he feared that he and his wife would be left unable to care for their son.

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Official Government guidelines warned against long-distance journeys.

Senior aide Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of risking the Government's efforts to combat Covid-19 in order to defend his senior aide following allegations he breached lockdown restrictions. Picture: PA.Senior aide Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of risking the Government's efforts to combat Covid-19 in order to defend his senior aide following allegations he breached lockdown restrictions. Picture: PA.
Senior aide Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of risking the Government's efforts to combat Covid-19 in order to defend his senior aide following allegations he breached lockdown restrictions. Picture: PA.
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Further reports suggested he took a second trip to the North East last month, having already returned to London following his recovery from coronavirus.

Over the weekend, Mr White branded Mr Cummings’ trip to the county as “unwise” – but praised families across Durham and Darlington for their “exemplary” response to the Government’s lockdown measures.

He called on them to keep up their “outstanding effort” in using common sense to follow the Government’s guidance on staying alert and social distancing.

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Speaking on Monday, the acting commissioner added: “I am confident that thus far, Durham Police has responded proportionately and appropriately to the issues raised concerning Mr Cummings and his visit to the county at the end of March.

“It is clear, however, that there is a plethora of additional information circulating in the public domain which deserves appropriate examination.

“I have today written to the chief constable, asking her to establish the facts concerning any potential breach of the law or regulations in this matter at any juncture.

“It is vital that the force can show it has the interests of the people of County Durham and Darlington at its heart, so that the model of policing by consent, independent of government but answerable to the law, is maintained.”

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