Forum Topic

Dominic Cummings

Will all future advice from the government re the Covid_19 pandemic contain the rider - except if you are one Dominic Cummings? Obfuscation has become an art form during these press briefings.

Vanessa Smith ● 2355d191 Comments

I suspect he will ride it out but I overheard a group today in the shopping queue venting their frustration at the government but the telling line was “ I cannot believe I voted for Boris a few months ago, he is a bloody liability, clueless, the bloody lot of them”. Bigger fool them for voting for the idiot I say and we haven’t even mentioned the other big elephant in the room.

James Smith-Jones ● 2355d

I would not be surprised if this was leaked to divert the attention from Boris and Handcock.

James Smith-Jones ● 2355d

Don't agree with your assertion James but arrogance is a quality we can do without, especially in non-elected individuals. He should go.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

Anyone know of a betting site on date of Cummings departure? 50% of winnings to charity.

David McLoughlin ● 2355d

And the ministers falling over themselves to say that he didn't break the rules!Johnson has surrounded himself with pygmies so as to look less like a pygmy himself.

Susan Kelly ● 2355d

General abuse is not going to change anything. We are 6 months into a 5 year parliament, get used to it.Try to remember who BJ was up against. Do you really think Jeremy Corbyn was a better choice? If so, let me know. It will confirm some of the political leanings of some.My point was DC should go, let's try to stick with this debate.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

I struggle to understand a comment like this - it is not about who contested the last General Election or what they may or may not have done in these circumstances - this just seems to me an attempt to deflect any brown stuff away from those who are in the firing line, an excuse if you like. Unfortunately we are faced with years of this shambles yet, this covering up for Cummings and the pathetic simpering from government ministers trying their hardest to justify his obnoxious and arrogant behaviour is insulting and unacceptable. Don't do as I do, do as I tell you.

Vanessa Smith ● 2355d

Boris can't sack him.  Cummings is his brain. Without him Johnson would be like a flamboyant old actor with alzheimers flailing when the prompt in the corner went missing.

Claire Moran ● 2355d

Sorry Vanessa,definition of bigot : obstinate or intolerant adherence to a view.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

JC > "My point was DC should go, let's try to stick with this debate."Cummings will not go while he has the support of the government. That support must not be undermined. Therefore he will stay.

John Whitworth ● 2355d

The Cabinet May have rallied now, but Cummings is not liked throughout the Tory party and, if this news story doesn’t go away and their popularity wanes, they may want to act. It must already be on Starmer’s list of ‘reasons to have a vote of no confidence’.

Vivienne Cox ● 2355d

Are you clairvoyant John, or just hopeful?

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

JC > "Are you clairvoyant John, or just hopeful?"False dilemmas are all the rage.The second sentence of my previous contribution is key.

John Whitworth ● 2355d

John, I am not forcing you into anything. What exactly is a false dilemma?You've stated [Dominic Cummings] will stay. What is your substantiation of this?

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

You've stated [Dominic Cummings] will stay. What is your substantiation of this? Oh I don't know perhaps the fact that all the cabinet tweeted support and Grant Shapps spent most of todays update protecting him? If Cummings goes it will not be due to any rational decision making by the incumbent administration that's for sure,  it too late for that.  In the meantime the nation is fuming.

Matthew Swain ● 2355d

"Oh I don't know perhaps...…"Thanks Matthew.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

Epic simile, Claire!

Robert Fish ● 2355d

Breaking, Cummings spotted in Durham on a separate occasion during lockdown.Extra info, Cummings' partner Mary Wakefield apparently has close family living in London.

Ken Munn ● 2355d

There are no good outcomes for Johnson from this. Sack Cummings and the dummy has lost his ventriloquist. Cummings stays in post and the credibility of the government in issuing public health mandates is shot.

David Roberts ● 2355d

Where did you get that from?I wouldn't be surprised if the latter has something in it though.Maybe not relevant but I'd be interested to know who usually looks after this four year old when ?his? parents are working.

Anne England ● 2355d

Good points. David. Not you personally but still no offers as per my previous posting in support of Corbyn, I note.The point I hoped to make then was that it does no good to carp on about BJ because the alternative, had he been successful, was likely to have been a lot worse.Politics has encountered three major crises since 2008, financial crash, Brexit and Coronavirus. Each massive in themselves, no-one person in the western world could have been expected to resolve them all without some contention.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2355d

"Where did you get that from?"Most mainstream media now carrying it. For e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52786206

Ken Munn ● 2355d

"Carp on" — an interesting hybrid of harp on and carp. But it does make sense to carp on about BJ and ignore what Corbyn might have done. We're dealing with the hard facts of the shambles of Johnson's administration. What a Corbyn government might have done is pure conjecture (although I confess I wouldn't have entertained high hopes for it), and such speculation is only an attempt to divert attention from the current mess.

Robert Fish ● 2355d

Your challenge was "but imagine how bad a Corbyn government would have been". This 'defense' of Johnson's government is very poor. Here is why.It is essentially an argument based on a postulation that they may be bad but the alternative would have been worse. How do you know that? For example, who knew that Brown's government would be so capable in stepping up to the challenge of the 2007/8 financial crisis? The consensus (as in most, not all) view the actions the government took as necessary, effective and a lot better than some in opposition were suggesting. And viewed as world leading btw. Who would have predicted that of a government whose track record up to that point had been less than admirable. And a labour government too.The go to comparison for this defense is Dianne (I cannot add up) Abbott. Which would be fair, except we now have Boris (I multiply 50,000 by 640 and get 900 million) Johnson. Either he also cannot add up, or he lied to parliament. Phew, what a brilliant leader.Also, this a defense of mis-direction. It goes "well they did better than a troop of blind monkey's would have done, so stop complaining". But sorry, we expect and were promised a government more capable than that. Do not use a defense that says this government might be utter crap but that is not as bad as utter utter crap. Or rather, if you do use this defence, then I'll agree - yes, Johnson's government has been utter crap.

Alan Clark ● 2355d

JC > "Corbyn"AKA the bogeyman.Cummings still clinging on.Johnson enjoying the Spring Bank Holiday break.UK reputation for good governance in the toilet.Hey ho.

John Whitworth ● 2354d

'What a Corbyn government might have done is pure conjecture (although I confess I wouldn't have entertained high hopes for it), and such speculation is only an attempt to divert attention from the current mess.'That is precisely the point!

Vanessa Smith ● 2354d

If somebody had played such a major role behind the scenes in delivering BREXIT win and the last General Election result, then BJ's support of DC is very simple and understandable even if I like many others dislike his behaviour and arrogance.My personal fear which I accept is hard to prove, is that BJ and DC regard COVID-19 as a distraction (or maybe even an opportunity) to their main mission, which is to consummate BREXIT and that is where they are focusing their current efforts, leaving Hancock and others to manage the pandemic.

Joe Conneely ● 2354d

The restrictions have clearly been lifted. Join the convoy up to Durham on the M1. We are all Dominic Cummings!

John Connelly ● 2354d

I think our Dom has shown poor judgement and has also not observed the maxim 'Be nice to people on your way up,as you may well meet them on the way down, as he surely will.He doesn't come across as being a person who generally shows much contrition or humility.

Keith Iddon ● 2354d

We don't have a Corbyn government. We have a Johnson government. If the best defense of Johnson is "well, he is not as bad as the other bloke would have been", that's pretty pathetic. We are entitled to demand that Johnson, his government and his advisers are held to account, whether we voted for him or support him or not.The facts are that Johnson, advised (or controlled) by Cummings has pursued policies and surrounded himself with incompetent ministers that have caused tens of thousands of avoidable deaths."The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic."

T P Howell ● 2354d

Odds are 11 to 8 on that he goes before June 1.

David McLoughlin ● 2354d

Apart from his dismissive and arrogant stance, what is Donald Cummings signalling through his choice of props? Or was he merely, by chance, stowing his child's ball and bike into the boot of the car? - I would say not.

Anne England ● 2354d

"This is very very very serious" erm, no it's not"The man has to go right now" erm, next "Boris needs to sack him right now" erm, next"The country is outraged" erm, definitely next "Dominic Cummings has a track record of believing that the rules don’t apply to him" erm, next. No hold on, AHA, you were blanked in the last shuffle mate. No chance now. 😄  "WhatsApp groups are pinging with messages from MPs “from all wings of the party” calling for Dominic Cummings to go" erm,i think your lying love..ping, ping, ping, see, I told you so. No love, its the doorbell, pizza again? NO! "What makes Dominic Cummings & his family so exceptional" erm, none, next. "Conservative MPs are breaking ranks because they know that Dominic Cummings’ behavior is undermining the Government"  erm, its three mate, NO,I've been sitting on the loo in secret talks doing zoom and its growing. I'm sure it is. Next "Dominic Cummings,Vanessa Smith,24/05/20 11:46:00". erm, who that creeping out below me!, oh my, it is you lot, welcome comrades, Join in, just stick to the point. "Stephen Kinnock perhaps" DA, SHUT UP YOU FOOL, Kier has not read the 1000 page report on that yet. "I've got more" Shut it, man."when Mr. Cummings, an advisor hogs the news agenda for days, surely the correct approach is to remove him from his position, that would seem the sensible solution" erm, ATLAST ...a sensible answer. Now I'm off to the park with my pooch not forgetting the hamper. Usual crowd love? Shhh, I have a 12" ruler in my pocket il have you knowMeanwhile other news today.....................................................Maybe pop back tomorrow, by then the economy, jobs, education and Hong Kong may have risen up the league table.TPs back in the room from a long hangover. Oh yeh "the only person on this forum that talks sense"  Who said that?  TP 

Julian Pavey ● 2354d

ho ho ho...Well done julesey old son..dead serious Freds like this are cryin' out for a good larf...

Stuart Kerr ● 2354d

What a complete mess! Let's see what comes up in 'the daily briefing today .

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

HB > "Let's see what comes up in 'the daily briefing today .""Bluster, er, waffle, waffle, critical time for the country, er, bluster, Cummings best man for the job, waffle, waffle, now is not the time, er, er, waffle, full enquiry after virus defeated, bluster, bluster, stay alert!"But I could be wrong.

John Whitworth ● 2354d

Hehe - let' just see !!!

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

JW > "But I could be wrong."I was.He used a 'think of the children' appeal to emotion.A big FU to the country.

John Whitworth ● 2354d

I'm sad  you think you were wrong  - I think what is going on is a complete farce - I would have liked to have heard something more truthful and positive - I have not -When are we going to hear true leadership.

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

Honesty and integrity? No, Cummings broke every rule because he thinks he is above the rules others in similar or worse situations have stuck with. These people did that to protect others and the NHS. Cummings broke the rules because he didn’t care about others or the NHS.

Alan Clark ● 2354d

Johnson is waffling, struggling on the ropes.  It's clear that even he doesn't believe what he is saying.  And no one else does.

Claire Moran ● 2354d

Undeniably - an absolutely fascinating chap is 'Cummings' whatever side of the Covid fence we slurry about on or in. Incredible how Cummings, like Jeremy Corbyn did, has garnered ongoing visceral hatred from vultures across the divides of politics and varied hate-mongering righteous bubbles supposed to be forgiving of their ethics. Seeing him as Brexit-carrion has probably something to do also with ravenous po-faced Remainers circling around Cummings as well when blood and gore is at it's stenchiest in summer's political contagion carrying heat. This Leaver writer who has no special soapbox to teeter on in support of Cummings per se or the Tories in toto being as I'm kinda socialist (I think) one rather relishes his (Cummings's) bloody corpse mauled, let's face it, by so many inconsequential nobodies - though battered and bruised, one would want Cummings to weather wounds which of his own particular horrid lacerations by contrast, Mr Corbyn gave up to and succumbed of his own choice with regretful wretched weakness.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 2354d

So very true. A sad day for this country when it’s leader blatantly lies and makes false claims in the face of what actually took place. A new low for the office of PM.

Alan Clark ● 2354d

My god what a struggle Boris is going through - He can't deal with this -  Cummings needs to resign immediately and our P M needs to get his act together - My god what will the EU think about this awful update -

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

It would be fascinating to know what rent boy Cummings has on Boris. There can be no argument that he was able to break the rules with impunity. See you in Durham tomorrow.

John Connelly ● 2354d

Blimey, still at it.

Janice Evans ● 2354d

I'll join you John- I'm sure Durham is a great town even though sadly I have never been there- shall we have a great party with loads of people joining us .

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

As we socially distance we can all chant at the liar "Let's all laugh at Boris.......ha.ha.ha.ha". Seriously, the leaders of this country delayed lockdown, killing thousands who could still be alive today, caught the virus themselves as a result of failing to socially distance, and then ignored the rules that everyone else has been told to obey. Personally, I have not been more than an hour from my front door since 10 weeks last Wednesday - before the lockdown. I will stick to the rules till it is safe.

John Connelly ● 2354d

I was not taking this lightly - I have also tried to take all this over the last months very seriously and have done everything to keep people safe including myself - I have also abided to lockdown and have not done anything to jepodised this- that is why I am so angry with the cr.p that the gov. are giving us.

Helen Bamberger ● 2354d

It comes down to this. The self isolation rules are there for a reason. Covid is extremely contagious, and for some people extremely dangerous.It seems highly unlikely that in his one or more sojourns up to Durham Cummings did not stop on the way for petrol, coffee or even a pee. If so, there is a real possibility/ likelihood that he or his wife infected one or more other people, who each in turn infected more people (and so on).This may have resulted in someone's death. We will never know.  But he had no right to take that risk with other people's lives.His actions demonstrated the contempt in which he holds the rest of us.  And the failure of Johnson to sack him demonstrates the same

T P Howell ● 2354d

Have today passed by a pub in my local area and it was crowded outside in the Sunday afternoon sunshine c.4pm with younger adults appearing not to self-distance in any responsible effective and safe way. What's goin' on? I was agog and involuntarily gagged and gulped when I saw it. Have pubs been given the ok to open even while the killer-virus lockdown is still in force?

Bobbie Carnegie ● 2354d

I know of many who haven't abided by the rules from the start.  But Cummings in his position certainly should have done.  But sacking him would in effect be Boris sacking his brain.

Claire Moran ● 2354d

...what Cummings knows and what beans he would spill if he were sacked. Some form of blackmail going on - that can be the only reason that Johnson has left him in post.

Ken Munn ● 2354d

I doubt that there is much that is sinister, Ken.  A lot of people including Johnson probably have a lot on Cummings too.  I really think it's like a head of a division in a big firm who has recruited people to support him/her, and Cummings has entrenched himself so firmly that Johnson daren't do anything without his say-so and would be terrified he would be found out as an incompetent PM if he were no longer propped up by Cummings.

Claire Moran ● 2354d

Our Secret Services will be most alarmed at the damage this unelected dictator is doing to Government and will very active behind the scenes. It seems he has been a loose canon in Downing Street ..around Government and the senior Civil Service and many will be relieved to see him fired (not resigning).

Jim Lawes ● 2354d

When Brian Lara the cricketer went Durham some years back he scored 501 runs not out.Hopefully Cummings visit will result him being clean bowled for nought and dropped by his team captain ...or if not...by the Auyhorities.

Jim Lawes ● 2354d

Watched Johnson's press conference this afternoon.Now they're not even pretending not to lie.

T P Howell ● 2354d

Tory Dimwit XI batting 1= Buffoon Johnson retired injured for 12 = Michael 2faced Gove 1 run out3= Prety Useless Patel 0 clean bowled4= Jacob Ree Dog 0 lbw slouching in members bar5= Rich Sunak 25 not out going for big shots6= Grant Schnapps 5 caught slips playing Gower defensive shot7= Matt Handjob 0 lbw not playing a shot, out of his depth8= Brainless Lewis 2 caught going for big shot9= Dominic Coming-Going-Gone 0 lbw spin bowled refused to walk 10= Dom Drab 3 not out (night watchman)11= George Useless still to bat

James Smith-Jones ● 2354d

If Cummings was the morally upright guy Johnson portrays him as being, he would resign voluntarily because of the damage he can see that he is doing to his boss and the government by clinging on to his position at all costs. In fact, he appears to be a self-obsessed narcissist with nothing but contempt for those around him, including both his critics and his supporters.

Colin Jordan ● 2354d

Yes indeed,Colin.I am sure he is very intelligent, but I'll bet he makes sure everyone around him gets constantly reminded of that, like some of that ilk do. The Bishop of Liverpool has just said what I have been thinking since this came to light,that if he had apologised and shown some contrition and humility and simply apologised, then the dogs may have been called off both him and Boris.Instead he is seen to be defending the indefensible.

Keith Iddon ● 2353d

'The Bishop of Liverpool has just said what I have been thinking since this came to light,that if he had apologised and shown some contrition and humility and simply apologised, then the dogs may have been called off both him and Boris.Instead he is seen to be defending the indefensible.'Exactly - when in a hole - stop digging is always a good piece of advice. Interestingly government Whips were reported as ringing Tory MPs asking them to take to Twitter in support of Cummings - one said he told them 'to piss off' - very wise! Is there no-one in this sorry cabinet who has the guts to call this out, how desperate are they to hang on to their jobs?

Vanessa Smith ● 2353d

I have often wondered about the 'never apologise never explain' mentality shown by some people.Seems those who do neither think themselves perfect and unable to err.We all make mistakes.Can't they see their inability to show humility makes them even more flawed and imperfect in the eyes of us mere mortals? The roles are reversed,Boris is carrying Dom now.

Keith Iddon ● 2353d

Anyone know what Cummings’ lanyard says? In god we trust all others w.... can’t see the rest, but I imagine it’s contemptuous.

Vivienne Cox ● 2353d

Mr Google says it's "In God we trust. All others we monitor" — the motto of US Naval Intelligence. Such irony!

Robert Fish ● 2353d

What a fool Johnson is! He's obviously intelligent, but we can now add an alarming lack of judgment to the indictment, along with his customary mendacity and laziness. Could he not see this affair isn't going to die? The man who says he spotted Cummings in Barnard Castle took a note of the number plate of the car. If the police investigate, as surely they will in response to all the public yahoo, and discover that it's Cummings's car, Cummings is toast, and Johnson's administration is holed below the waterline.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

Can't see how Cummings will survive this hourly increase in demands for him to resign. He made plenty of enemies in his time, so no surprise that MPs, civil servants and the media are happy to make him suffer. But he deserves it, frankly. And Johnson won't like the humiliation of U-turning from complete support to having to sack him. So I'd expect there will be a phone call sometime soon: "whaffle whiffle, piffle paffle, tried to support, but not working, so do the right thing old sport, spaff yourself up a wall, cadere in gladio sort of thingie, and hand in a resignation, cheerio there's a good fellow".

Alan Clark ● 2353d

Fire him and think "Boldness be my Friend"

Jim Lawes ● 2353d

Apparently Cummings is going to ‘speak’to us this afternoon- interesting what he will now say.

Helen Bamberger ● 2353d

Fire him and think "Boldness be my Friend"

Jim Lawes ● 2353d

It occurs to me it would be very odd indeed if Boris didn't know in advance of at least at the time that his chief adviser was going to Durham.After all this is a 24/7 crises and you would expect the two of them to be in constant contact.It follows that Johnson had an opportunity to stop him going so why didn't he?It's important to remember that really intelligent people can be incredibly stupid.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

I'm not sure that Johnson is 'intelligent' in some ways, he may be able to spout Latin and string a few words together but he is an awful speaker, and really is a lazy sod. You get the impression that he just wants the title of P.M. but is content to let some other idiot do the grunt work - enter Cummings. You'd think having been on the receiving end of the British people's ire over bereaved foreign NHS workers finally getting indefinite leave to stay, and then the fees that foreign workers had to pay to use the NHS, and having to climb down - he'd have learned something. Nothing and no-one is perfect but owning up to mistakes and showing a little humility goes a long way, bluster and arrogance won't cut it.

Vanessa Smith ● 2353d

The nub of it is that Johnson's speech yesterday was one big "F-You" to the nation.He doesn't give a damn about us.His is a one agenda Government. There is a view that the Covid catastrophe is providing a convenient cover, for example to the accelerating privatisation of the NHS, and smoothing the path to a trade deal with the US to allow debased food standards.

T P Howell ● 2353d

That's the real question. Did Boris know at the time that Cummings was making a dash for it and OK'd it? Of course he must have done, which sucks him into the scandal. "Don't worry, old boy. Trip up north will do you good. I can't image you'll be the only one to want to go AWOL for a few days!" Snag is, to their surprise, millions of other people actually took the lockdown rules seriously and literally. What fools!  Likely way out is for Cummings to say it was entirely his decision, apologise 'for the misunderstanding' and bluff it out - or step down, of course. The latter seems unlikely as he's flagged to answer questions later today as well as make a statement.

Peter Evans ● 2353d

"He is an awful speaker". I'm not sure I'd agree. He is, when not under pressure, a very good communicator, which is why we're in the current mess — the public have bought into his spiel. But he's the Deontay Wilder of politics — can't fight on the back foot. Under pressure he is reduced to bluster and incoherent mumbling. He's totally ineffective in parliament without the baying backbenches helping him to evade answers to tough questions. No wonder Rees-Mogg is so keen to get them all back in the chamber.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

I looked up Mary Wakefield, Cummings’ wife yesterday and Wikipedia had a sentence saying she “had travelled north with government approval”. This disappeared a few minutes later.  The scenario now is that we are living Downton Abbey but the Butler is in charge.

Vivienne Cox ● 2353d

HB > "... interesting what he will now say."Maybe:"I have full confidence in the Prime Minister and will not take any further action in this matter. Now, let's get back to work and Get Pandemic Done!"I could be wrong.

John Whitworth ● 2353d

You lot are like Caesar shall he live or die.......before you all sit in judgement why don’t you give the chap a chance to explain the facts then make a judgment. I know loads of people who did not obey the lockdown rules and went to their second home, no kids, no virus just fancied getting out of London which was the epicentre at the time. I don’t judge them for it, totally understand they felt safer out of London.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Fascinating bit of evidence, if true, Vivienne. But let's not forget that anyone can edit a Wikipedia entry. It could be a mischievous addition.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

You are willfully missing a key detail - his wife had the symptoms of Covid-19. And the rules were quite explicit for that circumstance - the household to quarantine for 14 days. Not travel 260 miles. And certainly not to visit people in their 70's. This was more than a quick trip to a second home.

Alan Clark ● 2353d

Escaping epidemics is not new. Charles II's entire court decamped to Oxford during the ravages of the Great Plague of 1665. Although, one wonders if Daniel Defoe who wrote up his 'Diary of the Great Plague' of that time may have been asymptomatic seeing as he appears to have freely wandered about London jotting down the horrors he saw at close quarters including seeing plague victims nailed-up and forcibly incarcerated into their hovels with their doors daubed with red 'plague crosses'.

Bobbie Carnegie ● 2353d

Jayne, I try hard not to be rude on this forum but sometimes it is extremely difficult so excuse me please.Anyone who popped off to their second home is a selfish bastard!Anyone who thinks it's ok needs to think again.....hard....very hard.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

Issues and problems with schools and kids right upon us and the usual crowd along with the media is wall to wall coverage of a guy who jumped into his car. Sorry but this is utter madness on point. Some people and the media have completely lost the plot. Some im not surprised by. Issue,yes...24/7 NO

Julian Pavey ● 2353d

Just in case you have not caught this- Cummings will be making a 'personal' statement at 4pm this afternoon

Helen Bamberger ● 2353d

Totally agree Julian, clearly the press have nothing more to do and people are clearly bored there are far more important issues. People have gone completely mad ha!

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

'... a guy who jumped into his car' with his (we are told) wife who was exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus and drove 260 miles from home, you mean.

Anne England ● 2353d

So he was following government advice to stay at home if you or anybody else in your household had symptoms of coronavirus? - I think not.

Anne England ● 2353d

Let’s see what he has to stay before you act as judge and jury. My understanding is that he drove to the family estate to self isolate in a separate cottage in case he needed family to look after his 4 year old. Common sense stuff. You sound a rather nasty individual who has nothing better to do than attack people not a pleasant quality.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

That's just confirmation of your political bias ha! You never seem to be bored with enormously long threads criticising, for example, Corbyn, or Mayor Khan or the last Labour Party manifesto.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

.. I usually tend to agree with Julian and on this occasion I find myself nodding as his line - “Some people and the media have completely lost the plot”...I'm not defending Mr Cummings and haven't spent a moment following his career.  But I've read the charge-sheet and this is an unmistakable witch hunt.  Rather a distasteful witch hunt in the sense of the obvious glee in eyes and mouths of the posse...This Cummings chap sure seems to have made plenty of enemies...What'll probably do for him at 4.00p.m is that the worst of his detractors (The bishops, the Guardian and the Daily Mail) have cornered every inch of the high moral ground to bring him down...Actually the ground available is neither particularly high nor importantly moral.  But that's the weapon they're using.  And they're sticking to it.  With all the unpleasant relish of the huntsman sensing blood....

Stuart Kerr ● 2353d

It's all a question of balance, Stuart. I don't recall anyone complaining of the victimisation of  Diane Abbott after she made some crass comments (and some egregious errors of arithmetic!) whilst unwell. It's where people stand politically that determines whether they think the attention to the issue is disproportionate/unfair or otherwise.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

Stuart, Julian, Jayne - spot on. The usual holier than though  moaners smell blood, and my god they’re going for it. It’s boring the pants off me........

Richard Kay ● 2353d

(Waiting for him to get to the rose garden)...  Not sure of your last line Robert.  As a neutral in this I think I'm allowed at least half a POV - given that I'm not driven either by political love or political hatred of the chap..(commentators in this lead-up  pause seem to expect him not to be resigning....)

Stuart Kerr ● 2353d

Your political bias shines through. This was not common sense. This was selfish sense. While others in similar roles admitted their error he gets useless ministers (including Johnson) to defend the indefensible. So Cummings' action was bad. Tory minister actions were very ill-judged.Call me names all you want (says more about you than it does about me and doesn't help your argument), but defending what Cummings did just cause he is Boris' mate is not a pleasant quality.

Alan Clark ● 2353d

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Stuart, Julian, Jayne and Richard. It would appear that my thread about disappearing and reappearing cars in Chiswick aka and lately known as Doing a Dom, as one poster put it, was a bit too subtle.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2353d

This for me isn't about politics, being nice, nasty, baying for blood but it's simply about everyone respecting the guidelines both in action and in spirit. That means everyone.A smart arse fellow dog walker was taking the piss out of my wearing a face mask today.I told him in no uncertain terms I was using it to protect the likes of you, maybe you could pay others the same respect.Wasting my breathe of course, the bus stops and tube are full of people who can't be asked.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

Idly waiting like many others since 4pm.If 3 million people are doing likewise during the past 25 minutes...I calculate that's a total of 143 years of time!

Jim Lawes ● 2353d

Strange how the siren-like noise started as soon as he started his speech.

Ben Gemmingen ● 2353d

No apology!

Jim Lawes ● 2353d

Honestly I feel sick He is just i dont know and in Downing St Terrible just resign mate.

Jon morris ● 2353d

What a lot of rubbish - no apology- is this really what the gov. expects  us to accept- no I am not on witch hunt- just amazed that he just does not get it-  if I couldn't have attended my families funeral or mother had to cope with children or people who could not  visit love ones in care homes- I could go on and on . Cummings needs to go and if the pm doesn't agree I hope we eventually have a 'no confidence'.I realise that other people will not agree with me and that is their choice. I am allowed to have my own view.

Helen Bamberger ● 2353d

I feel sick at the false reporting from much of the media. In my view they have a lot to answer for. Gratuitous bullying is a phrase  that springs to mind.

Richard Kay ● 2353d

The media are doing their job and I see that Mr Cummings is skilfully laying blame at their feet instead of resigning which is sickening in itself.

Matthew Swain ● 2353d

Well said Helen re everyone having their own view. And I agree journalists should do their job, but with honesty and the real facts. There has been too much misinformation reported for which I believe some of the media are responsible. I believe it’s time to move on and let the government get on and focus on managing this crisis.

Richard Kay ● 2353d

MS > "The media are doing their job and I see that Mr Cummings is skilfully laying blame at their feet instead of resigning which is sickening in itself."His story neatly connected all the facts. I'm happy with his account and we should all move on.I'm just out for a drive on the public highway to test my eyesight. Here's hoping I'm fit to drive!

John Whitworth ● 2353d

Have to realise that the moaners will do anything, they are only happy when attacking someone, why, I will never know.

Janice Evans ● 2353d

It makes me sick. For more than two months the great British public have had rammed down their throats: "Stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS". If Cummings had passed the virus on to his mother, I am sure he would have been the first to go bleating to the NHS for treatment. Which ever way you cut it there is absolutely no excuse. DC's lack of contrition makes it even worse. His wimpering performance this evening in the rose garden of No 10 (what right does he have to host it there?) was utterly pathetic. What planet do these guys live on. I am a Boris supporter but his position on this scandal makes me seriously wonder if he really does have a brain. I for one will certainly not be "staying at home" in the future.

Steven Trembath ● 2353d

“I for one will not be staying at home in the future”. Steven, if you believe DC has done such wrong how on earth can you justify acting in a similar way yourself? I just can’t see your logic. Not that you have to stay at home anyway now........

Richard Kay ● 2353d

Many have not abide by the rules, although I would never report people or neighbours I know of many that have been away and also had visitors during the lockdown, for whatever reason I don't know.

Janice Evans ● 2353d

I was worried about my eyesight so I went for a test drive!😬😀😲😞😷!Why didn't the Duke of Edinburgh come up with that one, people would think it reasonable!

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

A productive meeting between Boris and Dom this afternoon has produced a new slogan to explain their pitiful performance in dealing with the virus:Britain - a Great Country to Die in

John Connelly ● 2353d

With respect John, that’s a pretty sick joke.

Richard Kay ● 2353d

'Have to realise that the moaners will do anything, they are only happy when attacking someone, why, I will never know.'Well, if you don't mind these arrogant pigs taking the p*ss out of you - many of us take a different view, the media are doing their job, it makes my head spin when I think what you and the other Tory apologists on here would say in the case of a Labour government.

Vanessa Smith ● 2353d

Pretty sick government too.

Vanessa Smith ● 2353d

Steven grow up, Cummings did social distance he was lucky to have a home on his family estate so he could self isolate knowing his child could be cared for if his wife and himself were hospitalised perhaps you are just jealous 😉😉😉 given his account I really feel for the chap he did the right thing given his circumstances, his child had to be hospitalised for god sake, his uncle died, his boss nearly died plus he has an incredibly tough job right now. The press are bullies, make up stories.........we all know that. Facts are rarely important to journalist they put their own spin on a story.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Oh Jayne,  hook, line and sinker.

Matthew Swain ● 2353d

Grow a pair, I watched Cummings account he did nothing wrong why should he apologise What for ???? You on the  other hand want to bring politics into every discussion very sad...I have no political view in this matter he has explained the situation, he self isolated didn’t put anyone at risk, he protected his family there is absolutely nothing  wrong with that. I couldn’t care whether he drove 10 or 1,000 miles its totally irrelevant.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

"Huntsman sensing blood"......."witchhunt"....."gratuitous bullying".  The media storm would have died down by now if there had been more transparency from 10 Downing Street. Prior to yesterday there was no attempt publicly to rebut the stories which were out there. It seems also that no attempt was made to reply to questions from the Guardian and the Mirror.

One further question: if the purpose of the trip to Barnard Castle was as described by Cummings today, why did Johnson deliberately try to obfuscate yesterday? He made no reference to it, only to "palpably wrong" stories about other journeys. Why didn't he say that the alleged second journey to Durham was false information, and give the explanation offered today for the Barnard Castle trip? I have to say, I found Cummings's explanation slightly unconvincing. OK, so his son needed a pit stop, but why did Cummings himself go for a walk? He was also unconvincing  in reply to the question why he hadn't simply set off for London, and turned back if he didn't feel fit to drive, rather than make a separate trip to"test his eyesight". It all sounded a touch fanciful — but then I'm an old cynic!

I'm not sure today's statement has put the matter to bed. An admittedly largely hostile press may be expected to keep digging. They will have been further goaded by Cummings's refusal to admit he made any error.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

I take it that his wife can't drive...

Micki Hawkes ● 2353d

I operate on facts not journalistic spin I have had plenty of experience with the press so know exactly how they operate! You obviously haven’t you are the fool to believe then!

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Ye Gods - no thought at all of the poor sods stuck in flats with kids who've stuck this out for weeks and weeks, not to mention the people on the front line in the NHS and care homes. Not for them a 'family estate' or indeed a second home to slope off to illegally whilst showing symptoms of the virus. You 'feel for the chap' - save your sympathies for the people who really deserve it, who've not been able to say goodbye to family members who've died, and so much more. Cummings and his mate Bozza are a pair of self-entitled, arrogant, f*ckwits if they really believe that the majority of us believe a single word of this b/s. Nothing can justify driving a coach and horses through government guidance especially when you were instrumental in forming it.

Vanessa Smith ● 2353d

JT > "... didn’t put anyone at risk..."He claims that he went on a 60 mile round trip on the public highway with possibly defective vision to test his fitness to drive. That is risky and an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

John Whitworth ● 2353d

Oh yes silly me to question Cummings undertaking a 40 min trip each way to a beauty spot on his wife's bday to test his eyesight.  Yup I am the fool.

Matthew Swain ● 2353d

Did she come back to London with him or did she stay in Durham?

Andrew Jones ● 2353d

To be fair Vanessa he wasn't driving a coach and horses, it was a Range Rover which is shame as horses are intelligent creatures and wouldn't set off if they were worried about their eyesight.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

My view only- this is a total car crash - I am sure people won't agree but I am completely furious at what is being said at the moment by the pm.  Does he really think we will be taken in by what he is saying...  i am angry so please forgive me-

Helen Bamberger ● 2353d

John please neither you or I know what impact covid has on individuals, he wasn’t blind.....so he had a drive to check he was OK to drive, we were allowed to drive and he social distanced.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

I'm bored with it. Done to death, and many people including some I know have done a lot more risky things over this period.  Time to move on.  Johnson needs him too much to sack him.  Unless new revelations come out, he's not going anywhere.

Claire Moran ● 2353d

Vanessa you need to get a life clearly you want to make this all about politics so sorry your mate JC lost 😂😂😂😂😂😂 This is actually about a chap who wanted to protect his family in the event the worst happened. Then when he felt well enough and after 14 days of self isolation went for a drive I bet you were a bully at school!

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Helen don’t be angry, there are some real issues looming economy for one...getting people back to school, work etc, there are real issues to be concerned about calm down G&T time.....

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Jayne, by condoning  your friends popping of to their second homes, strictly forbidden btw. I guess / hope that contributors here will take little notice of what you say.Stay well.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

I’m getting worried Claire. That’s twice I agree with you today! ;-)

Richard Kay ● 2353d

So despite him and his wife already experiencing symptoms it was acceptable to get in a car and drive 260 miles during the early stages of the lockdown ?.  Okay so he did it without stopping and in theory could have stopped for an alfresco toilet break without endangering others.  But what if he'd had an accident or broken down ?.How does "protecting his family" equate with driving 260 miles during lockdown with the concept being that if him and his wife became more ill then he'd give his kid (who had been with him all this time) to his sister's kids to look after ?.  Clearly he was willing to risk the health of his nieces and his sister, so the 'protecting his family' notion doesn't stand up.Has it ever be explained why his wife's family couldn't step in if the worst came to the worst ?.The whole think smacks of creating a story to fit the facts.  But, no matter of all the ins and out of this, the arguments on either sides, for anyone could stand up and says that he acted with "integrity", be they the PM, an MP or us mere mortals, destroys any credibility they might otherwise have.

Adam Beamish ● 2353d

I don’t take any notice of what most people write on here......

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

Adam he was thinking what if....the worst happened and he ended up in hospital with his wife someone needed to look after the 4 year old, simple. I get that, youngsters are less vulnerable you only have to look at the groups in Chiswick congregating in the park in groups during lockdown. You might be Adam perfect I doubt it.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2353d

You and people like you are the problem. You are defending the indefensible and as long as you continue to do this, the Cummings story won't go away. The pathetic attempts to reinvent Government guidelines are an insult to the public's intelligence. I work with professional drivers. I'm going to seek their opinion on driving 30 miles with family members to see if it is a sensible way of testing if your eyesight is up to snuff.

David Roberts ● 2353d

If my calculations are correct then we have higher deaths per capita than the USA.Yes, that's the USA under Trump!Not that we should be that surprised after the way we have handled things here.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

You and people like you are the problem. You are defending the indefensible and as long as you continue to do this, the Cummings story won't go away. The pathetic attempts to reinvent Government guidelines are an insult to the public's intelligence. I work with professional drivers. I'm going to seek their opinion on driving 30 miles with family members to see if it is a sensible way of testing if your eyesight is up to snuff.

David Roberts ● 2353d

I'm certainly Adam but I'm certainly not perfect, and there's been times in my life when I'm sure I haven't acted with integrity, just like I don't see how anyone could claim that Cummings acted with integrity in this particular regard, but that's exactly what has been said.But has anyone clarified (and I ask because I genuinely don't know the answer) why, his wife's parents couldn't have stepped in if necessary ?.As for his nieces being less vulnerable, they were living with his sister, so essentially had the kid been passed to the nieces the kid could have infected both the nieces and the sister.

Adam Beamish ● 2353d

See the Coronavirus Restrictions Regs below:  Restrictions on movement 6.—(1) During the emergency period, no person may leave the place where they are living without reasonable excuse. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a reasonable excuse includes the need— (a)to obtain basic necessities, including food and medical supplies for those in the same household (including any pets or animals in the household) or for vulnerable persons and supplies for the essential upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household, or the household of a vulnerable person, or to obtain money, including from any business listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2; (b)to take exercise either alone or with other members of their household; (c)to seek medical assistance, including to access any of the services referred to in paragraph 37 or 38 of Schedule 2; (d)to provide care or assistance, including relevant personal care within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(1), to a vulnerable person, or to provide emergency assistance; (e)to donate blood; (f)to travel for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not reasonably possible for that person to work, or to provide those services, from the place where they are living; (g)to attend a funeral of— (i)a member of the person’s household, (ii)a close family member, or (iii)if no-one within sub-paragraphs (i) or (ii) are attending, a friend; (h)to fulfil a legal obligation, including attending court or satisfying bail conditions, or to participate in legal proceedings; (i)to access critical public services, including— (i)childcare or educational facilities (where these are still available to a child in relation to whom that person is the parent, or has parental responsibility for, or care of the child); (ii)social services; (iii)services provided by the Department of Work and Pensions; (iv)services provided to victims (such as victims of crime); (j)in relation to children who do not live in the same household as their parents, or one of their parents, to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children, and for the purposes of this paragraph, “parent” includes a person who is not a parent of the child, but who has parental responsibility for, or who has care of, the child; (k)in the case of a minister of religion or worship leader, to go to their place of worship; (l)to move house where reasonably necessary; (m)to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm.
Where did Cummings/Johnson find the coach and horses they're attempting to drive through the Regs? All that rubbish about exemptions for taking care of children, I can't remember exactly what Cummings said, but he claimed to be reading the Regs.

Robert Fish ● 2353d

Frankly I am amazed that anyone believes DC's ridiculous story.As far as I am concerned he drove to his family seat for Easter in a car that can evidently do an approx 600 mile round trip (including the run out to Barnard Castle) without a need to refuel.Why did he need to do a test drive, can't his wife drive?I believe his wife has family in London are none of them helpful in an emergency should it come to that, which evidently it didn't.His son spent a night in hospital - any evidence of that?I don't know about anyone else but if I felt unwell (as he said he did) I would not embark on a trip from London to Durham.  It is a journey I have done several times visiting the university and by chance my best friend lives in Barnard Castle.  Usually I shared the drive swapping after a pit stop somewhere on route, but with his wife being unwell and he feeling unwell the thought of setting off on such a journey baffles me, and the thought of not stopping anywhere en route I find totally unbelievable.Listening to him anyone would think he was the only person in the UK with a child!  Millions of people have children and plenty of them have been unwell but they have simply had to  get on with it what makes him so special?The man is a liar in my opinion but then again Boris says he has shown great integrity - but then he is a proven liar too!

Bernadette Paul ● 2353d

Apparently he was too befuddled to get a message to his boss  that he was upping sticks, but well enough to drive to Mummy and Daddy's farm, oh,plus he didn't want to bother him. Hummm.He also said he didn't want to make a full explanation of his actions earlier as often they lead to further confusion. Well he dead right there but  a little whisper in my ear is asking was it really because he felt he didn't have to account for his actions to anyone?Who knows, but he better not divorce his Mrs as beans may get spilled.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

Bernadette - I agree with you completely.  He's taken the exposed facts and strung a story around them.

Viv Griffiths ● 2353d

Then why do you keep replying?

Anne England ● 2353d

You're defence of Cummings doesn't show you in a very good light. My wife's primary carer has had to postpone her wedding and has been unable to hold her first Grandson because she follows the regulations. I get it that you're first and foremost a Tory lackey, but just in case you're interested, you can now buy a moral barometer on EBay.

David Roberts ● 2353d

I can't find the clause Cummings read out about the safety of children, though I think it's meant to apply to abuse and similar. Otherwise there's clause (m) on your sample page which mentions 'to avoid injury...', which again I think is aimed at domestic abuse. Cummings' interpretation is a particularly inventive reliance on a clause that hardly anyone else would know about, yet they've now been made to feel fools.

Peter Evans ● 2353d

"but well enough to drive to Mummy and Daddy's farm" That is mum and dad to most people RIGHT Bank holiday is over,back to normal tomorrow for me. Im sick and tired of it all. I could not give dam about the guy and the politics. Lets get back to the important stuff no doubt everyoe will be moaning about down the line. Ive noted my view for future postings.

Julian Pavey ● 2353d

But what this has all highlighted, and picked up by all the European press, is that Johnson can’t manage without Cummings. He is the one with the ideas and the drive. He is unaccountable to us and we can’t not re-elect him as he’s unelected. James Fox and Dirk Bogarde spring to mind.

Vivienne Cox ● 2353d

This reminds me of those Wild West movies when a bunch of fanatics rush out and hang someone just for th hell of it.

Janice Evans ● 2353d

Really? You think the senior adviser to the Prime Minister having been caught flaunting lockdown rules is equitable with an innocent party being lynched in a cowboy movie? You are this administration's wet dream.

David Roberts ● 2353d

Agree Julian.  And why so much vitriol for this man and so little for so many other high profile people who have deliberately broken the rules, including Neil Kinnock?  As I mentioned, I know many people who have flouted and are still flouting the rules from the beginning. I am not excusing Cummings, but just think this is not major in the grand scheme of things. See below.  The high-profile figures who have breached coronavirus lockdown restrictionsA number of prominent figures have been caught breaching restrictions amid the global coronavirus pandemic.Here are some of the other high-profile people who have been in the spotlight for flouting local lockdown measures.Professor Neil FergusonThe scientist, whose research helped usher in the lockdown, resigned from his role as a key Government adviser after admitting that he had undermined social distancing rules by reportedly meeting his "lover" at his home.Scotland Yard criticised his behaviour as "plainly disappointing" but ruled out issuing a fine because he “has taken responsibility” after resigning as a key Government adviser in the coronavirus response.Dr Catherine CalderwoodScotland’s chief medical officer resigned in April after twice breaking lockdown restrictions in order to visit her second home, which was located more than an hour away from her main residence in Edinburgh.Despite Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon backing Dr Calderwood to remain in her position, she ultimately decided to relinquish her role so as not to be a "distraction" from the Government’s social-distancing message.Scotland's chief medical officer resigned after visiting her second home during the coronavirus lockdown. Robert JenrickThe Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary was forced to explain himself after travelling more than an hour to visit his parents despite warning people to remain at home.Mr Jenrick was also criticised for travelling 150 miles from his London property to his Herefordshire home from where he travelled to his parents in Shropshire.However, he defended his actions, saying he went to deliver food and medicine to his isolating parents.Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick was criticised for driving to his Herefordshire home from London Stephen KinnockThe MP for Aberavon in South Wales was publicly shamed by police after travelling to London to celebrate his father’s birthday.After Mr Kinnock posted a photo on Twitter of himself practising social distancing with his parents outside their home, South Wales Police replied: "We know celebrating your Dad’s birthday is a lovely thing to do, however this is not essential travel. We all have our part to play in this, we urge you to comply with (lockdown) restrictions, they are in place to keep us all safe. Thank you."Dr David ClarkThe New Zealand politician branded himself an “idiot” for driving his family 20km (12.4 miles) to the beach on the first weekend of the country’s national stay-at-home measures.That incident came a week after he was photographed going for a mountain bike ride 2km (1.2 miles) away from his family home in Dunedin on New Zealand’s south island.Although the health minister offered his resignation to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, she instead opted to demote him to the bottom of the Government’s Cabinet rankings.Marcos RojoIt is not just politicians who have found themselves in hot water over social distancing breaches as the Manchester United defender was recently filmed appearing to flout Argentina’s coronavirus lockdown rules.The 30-year-old, on loan at Estudiantes, was seen playing cards and smoking with friends in his homeland in a video on Instagram.Kyle WalkerManchester City’s Kyle Walker was criticised for holding a party The Manchester City and England full-back was forced to apologise in April after it was widely reported he held a party at his Cheshire home in a blatant violation of the nation’s lockdown measures.The club has promised the 29-year-old will also be subject to an "internal disciplinary procedure".

Claire Moran ● 2353d

Unaccountable and unelected people who squirm out of being removed from office even when they have been shown to be abusing their position. Wait. I thought that was why we are so determined to leave the EU. Don’t tell me that we will get lots of that post Brexit. Duh. I think we are being taken for a ride.

Alan Clark ● 2353d

How much would you like to contribute, Alan? https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1283155/brexit-news-uk-eu-transition-period-extension-david-frost-michel-barnier

Claire Moran ● 2353d

Julian, don't be fooled by Cummings dress down image and let's not forget this guy is a key advisor shaping policy, a policy that has bumbled and fumbled it's way to one of the highest death rates in the world.That's appalling.You're a betting man, I'll wager he will be up for a knighthood or a seat in the Lords when the time comes just like the rest of them.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

Claire, five of the people you listed resigned the others apologised.This guy has not even considered resigning or apologising.Not too difficult to see why he is getting a roasting in the press and by the public at large is it.

Adrian Irving ● 2353d

For me, Cummings' carefully-rehearsed explanation just has a whiff of Prince Andrew and Woking Pizza Express about it.

Colin Jordan ● 2352d

I guess there isn't a Pizza Express in Barnard Castle. Or a Specsavers.

Paul Campbell ● 2352d

But, unusually for Boris, there's no involvement of a Sarah Miles equivalent!

Robert Fish ● 2352d

David, to be honest there have been far worse things that come to mind from the past which there was no apology for, many have flouted the rules why pick on one person.

Janice Evans ● 2352d

This is another 'Let them eat cake'(something I am redoubling my efforts to avoid during solitary) moment.They come along from time to time with all administrations of  the whichever hue.We can't even vote this bloke out at the next election.The frightening thing is he seems to be the puppetmaster to Boris's puppet,the power behind the throne blah blah..I think it's even too late for Boris to sack him and still retain any credibility over this.

Keith Iddon ● 2352d

Cummings is a "Special Advisor" to the Prime Minister."SPADs" are supposed to be people with specialist expertise, whose advice can assit the government. They are not supposed to be making decisions for the government (heaven forbid that we should be governed by unelected bureaucrats).  So what are Cummings’ special skills?  This is already well known – lying and manipulation.  He has boasted as much. He has NO OTHER skills or expertise.This is the sole reason he was recruited.  So, with Cummings at the very heart of government, was yesterday’s press conference any surprise, or is it any surprise that this government’s central (and it seems only) ethos is lying and manipulation? Why else employ this man at the heart of government?

T P Howell ● 2352d

Can I suggest that Michael Gove, another first class government toady and total w***er familiarises himself with the dictionary definition of 'integrity', having said on TV this morning that that was what Cummings 'acted with'.'the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles."a gentleman of complete integrity"'

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

'David, to be honest there have been far worse things that come to mind from the past which there was no apology for, many have flouted the rules why pick on one person.'We all have to abide by things we don't like as we go through life - we should all be law abiding, not to do so creates anarchy - so for one of the people who influences government policy to stick two fingers up and go his own sweet way is hardly acceptable. For other sanctimonious, mealy-mouthed government ministers to try and justify this to people who have put up with so much is adding insult to injury. Have some guts and humility, put your hands up and say you got it really, really wrong or p*ss off would be my advice. Two wrongs never have, and never will make a right. Do you really like people walking all over you?

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

Vanessa, you appear to be full of hate mostly towards the Torys, but it destroys anything you have going for you, wouldn't it be good to point out the good things about the party you support, just a suggestion.

Janice Evans ● 2352d

It occurs to me that Cummings could have saved himself a lot of time and money by just going to the Pizza Express in Woking.

Colin Jordan ● 2352d

I agree with Julian, we have a real mess to sort through now which really matters I couldn’t care less that someone drive to say happy birthday to their dad, or drove miles to self isolate it’s completely irrelevant. What matters now is how we kick start the economy, save jobs, improve our infrastructure for the next pandemic or second wave, go on holiday YES ha! Why anyone goes into public life I have no idea when people sit at home doing nothing acting as judge and jury, move on and focus on what really matters.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2352d

But that's exactly the point.We won't be able to do any of that with confidence in our government, and with a government that repeatedly shows that it is corrupt at its very heart.The Cummings debacle is just a side show, but demonstrates for all to see that this is a mendacious government by the mediocre. How can anyone now defend this mob in good faith?

T P Howell ● 2352d

'Vanessa, you appear to be full of hate mostly towards the Torys, but it destroys anything you have going for you, wouldn't it be good to point out the good things about the party you support, just a suggestion.'This is not about who supports whom. It is about honesty from the party and the people in power, what other parties may or may not do is irrelevant, they are not in government are they? I don't hate the Tories but I do dislike everything they stand for and I have nothing but contempt for people who will try and excuse the inexcusable, you included.Cummings and Bozza could have put their hands up early on - admitted they'd got it wrong, apologised abjectly and tried some humility. That they chose to tough this out with arrogance and superiority is what has brought all this fuss down around their ears. They are not special, they do not have any special powers, they are liars and hypocrites, we can only hope that we don't get a 'second spike' - if we do we will know exactly where the blame lies - won't we.

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

I think it's all Been blown up into a hate campaign, why because he is richbecause he was able to make a choice for his family which a lot of others have done, oh and yes they might be rich as well Vanessa.

Janice Evans ● 2352d

'I think it's all Been blown up into a hate campaign, why because he is rich'What's sad is all that money and the expensive education couldn't teach him some manners or common courtesy.

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

That seems to shine through at all levels 😒

Janice Evans ● 2352d

I too agree with Julian, well sort of, let's move on.That's why it would good for all of us including DC for him to show even a shread of contrition. Even better to have come forward much earlier with a full explination.What he has done is forgiveable, what isn't is the way he and the Government have tried to sliver out of this mess.This argument that others have done the same doesn't stand up. With power comes responsibility, responsibility that others don't have.Hate? Hate is not the same as anger and it is clear many people are very angry at the way this looks.DC may have have toughed this out but he is holed below the waterline and will slowly sink into obscurity.

Adrian Irving ● 2352d

"DC may have have toughed this out but he is holed below the waterline and will slowly sink into obscurity."Not while Vanessa and the W4 Remoaner gang have the bit between their teeth !

Richard Greenhough ● 2352d

😂😂😂👏👏👏 well said Richard god help anyone who gets on the wrong side of them 😂😂😂😂😂 Can you imagine them running the country 😱😱😱😉😉😉

Jayne Thorburn ● 2352d

I wouldn't worry about that Richard.It won't be long before some other doughnut comes along and scuttles his career.

Adrian Irving ● 2352d

It's probably better for Remoaners for Dom to keep his job and stay in the heart of the London elite establishment that he has built his career trying to demolish. He appears a lot less comfortable and effective on the inside than he was on the outside. Great to have him subject to the harsh glare of the scrutiny of the press and the public rather than lurking unremarked upon in the shadows.

Paul Campbell ● 2352d

To you and Tory boy - look at yourselves and then in all honesty tell me you wouldn't be having a field day if this was a Jeremy Corbyn led government? I had no time for JC and his cronies whatsoever, but if you cannot be honest enough to admit to the different treatment by media and others meted out to them, for what now appear to be innocuous transgressions when compared with this gigantic balls-up then you are deluding yourselves. Most of us just want a society that is fair and treats everyone with some dignity and respect, and if that offends you then we really are in trouble. A 'sod you Jack pull the ladder up' mentality is not likely to be tolerated once this crisis has passed, too many have lost too much because of a self serving elite who think they have a God given right to crap all over everyone else.

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

Wow - getting personal now are we? What a childish and petulant response.

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

Richard,The opportunities to blame 'Remoaners' as you put are wearing awfully thin now.  We have left, you won and Mr 2020 vision is still in his post despite breaking the rules by scurrying up to Durham. This Brexit Chaotic government has no one to blame apart from themselves since they now have 'control'. Perhaps they should have thought twice before getting rid of the sensible Torys.

Matthew Swain ● 2352d

MatthewYou seem to have completely missed the point of my post.

Richard Greenhough ● 2352d

"..in all honesty tell me you wouldn't be having a field day if this was a Jeremy Corbyn led government?"If the UK had elected a government led by Jeremy Corbyn, by now I would hopefully be a resident of a country with a government led by Jacinda Ardern. I'd rather face the natural earthquakes than the political earthquakes Old Jeremiah and his crew of throwbacks would have inflicted on this long-suffering country.

Richard Greenhough ● 2352d

There you go you've proved my point - can't resist it can you - sad man.

Vanessa Smith ● 2352d

There you go, Vanessa, proving my point - you indeed have the bit between your teeth. Poor old girl.

Richard Greenhough ● 2352d

Back to Cummings. I am fifty four years old and the attempts to justify this arrogant, self-entitled pos actions are the most far fetched I've ever heard. Johnson hasn't fired him because without him he's  a stark bollock naked Emperor. The anger isn't going away.

David Roberts ● 2352d

'Hopefully be a resident (of New Zealand)'.Well no doubt the nation of NZ breathed a collective sigh of relief at your non-arrival.

Anne England ● 2351d

When Jacinda heard about it, the earth moved for her ;-)

Richard Greenhough ● 2351d

Watching her trying to get a straight answer from our glorious leader.

Micki Hawkes ● 2351d

I agree - all hail Yvette she has gone up several dozen notches in my opinion

Bernadette Paul ● 2351d

Pity she wasn't voted into the top job in the Labour Party instead of Corbin.

Micki Hawkes ● 2351d

Indeed. Makes you wonder why Starmer hasn't given her a job in the Shadow Cabinet. Its not as if he has talent to spare in his ranks.

Richard Greenhough ● 2351d

Hopefully someone who knows what they are doing on this forum-Could  we start  a new  thread after the complete car crash on tv this afternoon !!!!I can't follow anything else on the large thread , especially as answers are not followed timely- Yvette was correct and we are now seeing rubbish.

Helen Bamberger ● 2351d

And Scummings is back top of the leader board - for the moment at least.

Anne England ● 2350d