Dominic Cummings: 'I Don't Regret What I Did'

Dominic Cummings outside his London home. Photo credit - Tolga Akmen

Dominic Cummings, advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has given a press conference after a public outcry for his resignation. Mr Cummings said the purpose was to “clear up confusion and misunderstandings” over his actions during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Within the statement he declared he had not informed the Prime Minister of his travel plans, which included a 260 mile trip across the country. He added “I do not regret what I did” but said that “reasonable people may well disagree”.

During the statement, Mr Cummings revealed that his four-year-old son had recently been taken to hospital with a "bad fever", while the family were in Durham but had tested negative for coronavirus.

He also confirmed that he had driven about 30 miles from Durham to Barnard Castle on Easter Sunday - a time when the government warned against visiting tourist spots. Although he had done so to "test his eyesight", which he had been concerned about during his own recovery from coronavirus, before driving back down all the way to London after his self-isolation.

"I wasn't sightseeing, I didn't go to the castle," he told reporters when repeatedly pressed on the trip during the hour long defence of his actions.

Since the incident, Mr Cummings’ London home has been subject to a tirade of angry protesters outside calling for his resignation.

He declared his actions were appropriate given the “extreme circumstances” he faced, as child care was not available in London.

Asked whether he will keep his job, Mr Cummings replied “It’s up to the Prime Minister”.