Portsmouth City Council leader and MPs hit out at Dominic Cummings after Downing Street press conference

Boris Johnson’s aide has been heavily criticised after making the journey to stay in a cottage on his parent’s farm in Durham.

He made the journey after growing concerned about childcare, as his wife developed coronavirus symptoms and he was concerned he would become ill.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on Sunday, Mr Cummings said that his nieces, aged 17 and 20, were living in a separate property on the farm and were on hand to look after his child if he and his wife became too ill.

He said they ‘were old enough to look after my child if needed but young enough to be in the lowest risk group of becoming ill’.

However, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said Mr Cummings’s actions were a case of double standards.

Mr Morgan, a Labour poltiician, said: ‘Since this story broke I’ve been inundated by messages and emails from Portsmouth people angry and frustrated by Mr Cummings’ actions.

‘The most heartfelt has been from those who have lost loved-ones as a result of Covid-19, unable to see relatives due to the restrictions to pay their respects.

‘The actions of the prime minister’s most senior political adviser are an insult to these and other sacrifices made by the British people. As constituents are telling me, it’s one rule for Mr Johnson’s closest adviser and another rule for everyone else.’

His sentiment was shared by leader of Portsmouth City Council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

Councillor Jackson, from the Lib Dems, added: 'Families have been asked to make enormous sacrifices during this time, to make sure other people don't get infected.

'My other half hasn't been outside for eight weeks and people haven't been able to see their grandchildren or say goodbye to loved ones on their deathbeds.

‘I wonder if there's a different rule for the rich and powerful like Dominic Cummings? I think it's very clear that the rules were broken.’

Answering journalists questions, Mr Cummings said he had not offered his resignation and refuted claims of double standards.

He said he ‘hated the idea of unfairness’ and added ‘I don't think I’m different and that it’s one rule for me and one rule for other people’.

Speaking about the situation, Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, Penny Mordaunt, said she understood why people would feel aggrieved by Mr Cummings’ actions.

Ms Mordaunt commented: ‘I do know that many people are feeling aggrieved at the suggestion he broke lockdown. So many people have made massive sacrifices.’

The prime minister’s senior adviser said he did not break the rules and made a judgement call in exceptional circumstances.

Mr Cummings said: ‘It doesn't say “you should stay at home in all circumstances”. It says there are some circumstances in which you won't be able to follow those rules. And it seemed to me that I was in such exceptional circumstances.’

He explained that without access to his ‘normal childcare’ in London and with the potential prospect of him and his wife ‘being hospitalised’ with the virus the welfare of his child came under the extreme circumstances set out in government guidelines.

His stance was defended earlier this week by Fareham MP, Suella Braverman.

Mrs Braverman tweeted: ‘Protecting one’s family is what any good parent does and it’s wholly inappropriate to politicise it.’

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However, Mr Morgan responded: ‘Many families in our city faced similar dreadful dilemmas yet respected the restrictions on daily life and obeyed the lockdown.’

Mr Cummings, who did not apologise for his actions, was also questionned on an additional journey he made to Barnard Castle while in Durham.

In response he said the illness, which he believed to be coranavirus, had affected his eyesight and he wanted to do a ‘short test drive’ to ensure he was fit to drive back to London.

Councillor Jackson is concerned the actions of Mr Cummings could have ramifications for the ongoing policing and public adherence to lockdown in Portsmouth.

He said: ‘I'm already getting reports of people saying to the police that if it's okay for the prime minister's mate to break the rules, then why can't they. It's very concerning.'

Mr Morgan added: ‘A huge amount of damage has now been done.’

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