Dominic Cummings: What did he do and when during the coronavirus lockdown? - BBC Newsnight

Dominic Cummings drove 260 miles (418km) from London to Durham, and took a 60-mile round trip from Durham to a nearby town on his wife's birthday - a trip he says he made to test whether his eyesight was good enough to drive.

Mr Cummings is facing calls to resign, both from opposition politicians and members of the governing Conservative Party, whose leader, Boris Johnson, he advises.

In a highly unusual move for an adviser, Mr Cummings gave a press conference, which was intended to clear up any details of his whereabouts, but many questions remain.

Mr Cummings has said he believed he acted "reasonably" and within the law. He has so far been backed by Mr Johnson and other senior government ministers.

But his actions have raised the question - did one of the government's most senior employees ignore the rules he had helped set for millions of people across the nation?

Policy Editor Lewis Goodall takes a look at the holes in the account.

In the studio, Emily Maitis is joined by the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Conservative MPs Craig Whittaker and Andrew Bridgen.

#Newsnight #Coronavirus #BBCNews

Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[dominictaylor]

But didn't he break the law against DVLA standards driving while testing his eyesight of which puts other lives in danger?

[nadiamitchell]

The fact that he drove on a road to test his eyesight makes him look more stupid because why would you do that if you thought you couldn’t see?

[andrewrussell]

'We thought we'd go for a drive to see if I could travel safely'. OK - that makes sense.

[jsj]

I have never heard so many professional liars among the English civil servants who are duty bound to lead in the correct and lawful manner

[tobybowers]

If you're not sure if you can see well enough to drive you DO NOT go on a 60 mile drive to find out. If he hit a small child would he then say "i was only testing out my eyesight but at least i now know i cant see well enough". This has to be some sort of driving offence surely.

[theambivalentpsbloke]

*I feel like we're stuck in the sequel to George Orwell's Animal Farm*

[Bobbydyland]

Driving to test you eyesight is an absurd excuse for a jaunt. It's like saying a Pilot should land a plane to test his sobriety, or a builder should operate heavy machinery to test his drowseyness.

[malcpkim]

Other politicians or political advisers who took similar actions and found out have resigned. Scotland and New Zealand come to mind. All rules must apply to everyone. Justice and equal treatment. It cannot be condoned. Simple.

[jamest]

I see 609 Tory liars have given the Tory backed BBC a thumbs down here 😂

[doowopmagic]

If his eyesight had been better he might have spotted the person who reported him.

[kicka]

Gove is truly despicable, such a prolific and egregious liar.

[DianeHosler-hhmv]

He went there for a jolly few days to see his parents as it was his wife’s birthday! Nothing to do with childcare and eyesight! He needs to go the old weasel!

[ColinOYoung]

Tories will twist everything to suit themselves.

[grimmann]

Wow their is really no other news than this they are just milking this story dry.

[mn]

The gentleman broke the rule, that he helped set up. The fact that he's not taking responsibility and stop digging gives the impression that he's arrogant and disrespectful of fellow citizens. Most of the citizens were not able to be by the side or within earshot of their dying loved ones due to the said rules. The officials and persons arguing in his favour are ridiculing the prime minister and his govt.

[petermirtitsch]

So the plebs breaking the rules is sending the wrong message but him being responsible is a discussion for another time?

[L_Martin]

12:31 I’m sorry, this is just obscene. Stop spitting in our faces. Comparing Cummings to a doctor on the frontlines? I cannot believe what I am hearing.

[thefacelessvaper]

The minister on the right is obviously following the party line.
He should resign ! It should not be one rule for one, and then one for another.
It's not right.

[Tamaxlia]

Why is nobody talking about the fact that Prince Charles did exactly the same thing? In fact he travelled farther, to a more vulnerable community, with an entourage, while infected.

[philipsowen]

Unless Dominic is shown the door, I will never vote for Boris again