UK Prime Minister's Adviser To Make Rare Statement Amid Lockdown Trip Scandal - Reports
Faizan Hashmi Published May 25, 2020 | 07:00 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th May, 2020) Dominic Cummings, senior adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is set to make a rare statement and field journalists' questions on Monday amid a scandal that came to light this past weekend after media reported that the adviser had flouted the country's lockdown rules to visit his parents, the Sky news broadcaster reports, citing Downing Street sources.
Cummings will speak to reporters despite the code of conduct for government advisers forbidding them from taking part in any political controversy through the form of verbal or written statements, the broadcaster stated.
This past weekend, The Guardian newspaper reported that Cummings, his wife and their child traveled 260 miles from London to the northeastern city of Durham in late March to stay with his parents after his wife started displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
The adviser justified his decision by saying that he and his wife wanted to ensure that they could guarantee childcare in the event of both of them falling ill with the disease.
Cummings's trip went against government guidance that implores anyone with symptoms of the disease not to leave their house for any reason.
On Sunday, UK newspapers reported that the adviser then made a second trip to Durham at a later date.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and leading cabinet ministers have backed Cummings, saying that he acted responsibly.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, dozens of Church of England bishops, and even Conservative lawmakers have slammed both Cummings and the government for attempting to justify the adviser's flouting of the rules, citing the sacrifices that many people have made by not seeing family members for two months amid the lockdown measures.
Cummings was the architect of the UK's successful Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum and was later appointed as Johnson's lead adviser.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
French bill seeks to ban hair discrimination affecting black women
CDC organizes awareness walk, seminar to mark World TB Day
CM reviews progress made for Gwadar Safe City project
Nottingham Forest's double European Cup winner Lloyd dies
Senior minister holds meeting with environment expert
Directorates for special education, women to be established soon: CM’ Advisor
Governor Sindh announces comprehensive IT program for youth of Hyderabad
SSDO urged Punjab Government to establish Punjab Human Rights Commission
DC Abbottabad imposes section 144 during FBISE annual SSC examination 2024
President calls for further strengthening of Pakistan-UK trade, economic ties
President for better marketing, projection of gemstone industry of Pakistan
26% increase on tobacco tax can reduce PKR 300bn in health cost
More Stories From World
-
French bill seeks to ban hair discrimination affecting black women
3 minutes ago -
Pakistan to bring perpetrator of Dasu terrorist attack to justice soon: Lin Jian
1 hour ago -
Financial crisis at UK's biggest water supplier worsens
1 hour ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
1 hour ago -
Poland raids Russian spy network: security services
1 hour ago -
UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.4% in 2023: data
1 hour ago
-
Haiti situation 'cataclysmic': UN
2 hours ago -
Profits fall for China's top chipmaker as sanctions bite
2 hours ago -
Portugal awaits new government after hung polls
2 hours ago -
China willing to work with Pakistan to enhance capability of tackling security challenges: Col Wu Qi ..
3 hours ago -
Haiti situation 'cataclysmic': UN
3 hours ago -
Detectives return to French village to solve missing toddler mystery
3 hours ago