Fareham MP Suella Braverman under fire after tweeting her support for Dominic Cummings

THE attorney general and her opposite number have clashed over allegations that Dominic Cummings may have broken UK lockdown rules.
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It was discovered on Friday that the prime minister’s senior aide drove 260 miles to a family home in County Durham in March, after previously announcing that he was self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms.

According to the government’s guidelines on coronavirus, if people show symptoms they must self-isolate for 14 days – as should the rest of their household.

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Mr Cummings claims he did the ‘right thing’ by travelling to be near relatives, and prime minister Boris Johnson has also publicly defended his actions.

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On Saturday, May 23, attorney general and Fareham MP Suella Braverman spoke out on Twitter in support of Mr Cummings.

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.’

Fareham MP and attorney general Suella Braverman. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA WireFareham MP and attorney general Suella Braverman. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Fareham MP and attorney general Suella Braverman. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
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But her comments have now sparked a scathing attack from the shadow attorney general, Labour’s Lord Charlie Falconer.

In a letter addressed to Mrs Braverman, he claims her support of the PM’s aide ‘destroys confidence' in the impartial role of an attorney general.

Lord Falconer said: ‘As attorney general you have a special constitutional responsibility for the appropriate enforcement of criminal law.

‘It is a rigid constitutional principle the attorney general will discharge those functions free from political considerations or influence.

Dominic Cummings is prime minister Boris Johnson's senior aide, but following allegations that he breached lockdown restrictions. there have been calls for his resignation. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA WireDominic Cummings is prime minister Boris Johnson's senior aide, but following allegations that he breached lockdown restrictions. there have been calls for his resignation. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Dominic Cummings is prime minister Boris Johnson's senior aide, but following allegations that he breached lockdown restrictions. there have been calls for his resignation. Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
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‘It looks clear your tweet was part of a politically orchestrated campaign in support of Mr Cummings, and you have breached that rigid principle.

‘As attorney general you are guilty of serious constitutional impropriety in tweeting in the way you did.’

None of the other Tory MPs in the surrounding area – Penny Mordaunt, Caroline Dinenage, Alan Mak or Flick Drummond – have tweeted about the ongoing fiasco.

However, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, has criticised Mr Cummings for his ‘self-interest’ while the rest of the UK public is making sacrifices.

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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.

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‘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.

The News has contacted Mrs Braverman for further comment.

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