Gosport man puts question about travellers to government in televised coronavirus briefing

In today’s coronavirus press briefing, led by transport secretary Grant Shapps, Gordon from Gosport asked how the government will prevent travellers from Ireland coming to the UK, circumventing the 14-day quarantine period required to enter the country.

Mr Shapps replied: ‘Ireland has a travel ban effectively as well so they also have a quarantine in place.’

He added that the UK government will continue to review its quarantine rules.

Gordon’s question was the first of the briefing – which ended up being dominated by questions about the prime minister’s aide, Dominic Cummings.

The media learned today that Mr Cummings had travelled 260 miles from London to a family home in County Durham, so his child could be looked after by relatives.

But the journey was made after his wife had shown coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Cummings argued he ‘behaved reasonably and legally’ but the Labour Party has called for a further investigation into allegations that he broke lockdown rules.

Conservative MP for Fareham, Suella Braverman, has also defended Mr Cummings on Twitter.

She said: ‘Protecting one’s family is what any good parent does.

‘The Downing Street statement clarifies the situation and it is wholly inappropriate to politicise it.’

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