Grantham area MPs react to the Dominic Cummings scandal
Two local MPs have reacted to the actions of Dominic Cummings after he allegedly broke lockdown restrictions - and the Prime Minister's defence of his chief aide - while a third has declined to comment.
Ministers and MPs across the country have spoken out following the controversial actions of the senior aide, who has been fully supported by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On March 27, Mr Cummings drove from London to a property owned by his father in County Durham to self isolate, before driving a further 26 miles to nearby Barnard Castle with his wife and son on April 12. He stated that the trip was to test whether his eyesight had fully recovered for the journey back to London the following day.
Durham Constabulary concluded that "there might have been a minor breach of the regulations" but have decided not to take any further action.
The story has dominated the headlines, with outraged members of the public blasting "the elite" who are not following rules which have caused hardship to millions.
The Journal contacted Grantham and Stamford MP Gareth Davies, Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Caroline Johnson (whose constituency includes north of Grantham from Barrowby and Great Gonerby) and Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns, who represents the Vale of Belvoir - all members of the Conservative Party.
Mr Davies refused to comment on the matter.
Dr Johnson told the Journal she supports the PM's decision. Dr Johnson, who is also the Conservative Party Vice Chair, said: “I believe that senior political advisors must be held to the high standards of their office and the Prime Minister was right to ask Mr Cummings to explain his actions extensively in a statement, and to answer all questions put to him by the media last Sunday, to allow the public to judge for themselves.
"Ultimately whether or not he keeps his job based on this information is not a matter for me, but for the Prime Minister. Having studied the above documents and Mr Cummings statement, I support the PM’s decision.
"There has been extensive debate on the details provided by Mr Cummings and no doubt this will continue.
"Ultimately, however, we are still in a state of national crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic and I truly believe that the best thing we can all do now is focus on matters relating to public health in the coming weeks, including ensuring children are returning to school as safely as possible, that shops are starting to reopen with appropriate measures taken, and that the new ‘Test and Trace’ system is working so that we can ease the lockdown whilst also preventing a second wave of the pandemic.”
Ms Kearns gave her views on the situation. She said: "Over the last few days I have received hundreds of emails from constituents about Dominic Cummings. During the pandemic I have had to make decisions about what the guidelines did or did not permit constituents to do. I have always acted in the best interests of residents, giving what I considered to be reasonable advice in each circumstance in consultation with Ministers.
"Over the weekend I pressed for more information to get the facts of what happened, I believed that was the least the British people were owed, and I shared my own concerns, and those of residents, with the Conservative Party as is the correct mechanism.
"I do not support Mr Cummings’ actions. This has been a deeply unhelpful distraction from the national effort to defeat Covid-19. Mr Cummings believed he was protecting his family. I know what it is to be a worried parent, but his actions have caused much frustration and disappointment. It is for the police to determine whether Mr Cummings breached the lockdown guidelines.
"When I wrote on Tuesday Durham Police had publicly stated that there was no case to answer. However, since then they are now investigating and I await the outcome.
"I cannot say I would have made the same decisions as Mr Cummings. The Party is clear of my views, especially on the matter of fairness, as well as those of the many residents who have taken the time to write to me.
"We have always been clear that beating this virus requires individual action on a national scale, and I am immensely grateful to all of Rutland for how you have adhered to the lockdown to protect us all, often at great personal emotional cost. Thank you to every one of you."
