Portsmouth MP slams Boris Johnson over ‘lack of leadership’ in addressing Dominic Cummings' lockdown rule break

It is reported that Dominic Cummings drove 260 miles from London to Durham to be closer to his family due to childcare concerns as his wife was experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

During yesterday’s (May 24) daily coronavirus briefing the prime minister backed his senior adviser saying Mr Cummings had ‘no alternative’ and had ‘acted responsibly, legally and with integrity’.

However, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has highlighted the double standards of Mr Cummings and the subsequent backing of his actions by Boris Johnson.

Mr Morgan commented: ‘What we heard from the Prime Minister is the opposite of everything people in our city have been living in order to get through this hideous pandemic.

‘We can be rightly proud of the enduring determination we have seen across our communities to do the right thing for everyone and not just live by own instincts and self-interest.’

The Labour MP highlighted a letter from one of his constituents which expressed their anger over the ‘excuses’ offered by the Prime Minister over Mr Cummings’ actions.

Mr Morgan added: ‘As one constituent has written to me this evening, they have tragically lost three close family members during this crisis receiving a phone call about the last bereavement as they heard the excuses from the government on TV.

‘I share their anger and frustration and in their words are “appalled by the prime minister’s arrogance and disregard”.

‘This is not leadership from the Prime Minister. The sacrifice Portsmouth people are making is real and for many the actions we’ve learnt this weekend really hurts.’

Labour leader Keir Starmer said Boris Johnson had ‘failed’ in addressing a test of his leadership by not taking action against Mr Cummings.

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