Fareham MP and Attorney General Suella Braverman backs Dominic Cummings over lockdown trip

Dominic Cummings has been widely criticised for driving from London to Durham with his wife, who has Covid-19 symptoms.

He has faced calls to resign, but Downing Street has said the journey was necessary to make sure he had childcare if he developed symptoms.

Mr Cummings told reporters outside his home earlier today that he had ‘behaved reasonably and legally.’

Suella Braverman, Conservative MP for Fareham and the Attorney General, backed Mr Cummings in a tweet this afternoon – and said it was ‘wholly inappropriate to politicise’ the situation.

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

‘The @10DowningStreet statement clarifies the situation and it is wholly inappropriate to politicise it.’

The statement from Downing Street said: ‘Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.

‘His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed.

‘His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside. At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.

‘His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally.’

The Labour Party stopped short of calling for Mr Cummings to resign but a spokesman said his actions ‘will cause understandable anger for the millions of people who have sacrificed so much during this crisis’.

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