""A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Cummings had acted “in line with coronavirus guidelines.
“Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for,” the spokesman said on Saturday.
“His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed,” he added.
Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries suggested on Saturday there was some room for manouevre if both parents were ill, saying that “all guidance has a common sense element to it, which includes safeguarding around adults or children”.
Cummings also denied reports in the Guardian newspaper that police had spoken directly to him or his family over the issue.
Nevertheless, police in Durham had confirmed on Friday that they received a tip-off on March 31 about someone who had travelled to the city from London and they repeated their statement on Saturday.
“Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house,” the police said.
Labour said that the government’s response “raises more questions than it answers”, particularly over whether “Number 10 is now questioning the validity of the statement from police.”
Government colleagues came to Cummings’ defence, with foreign minister Dominic Raab tweeting that “two parents with coronavirus, were anxiously taking care of their young child.
“Those now seeking to politicise it should take a long hard look in the mirror,” he added.
Cummings, meanwhile, was filmed leaving his home on Saturday, telling a throng of reporters that it was “a question of doing the right thing, it’s not about what you guys think”, while rebuking the gathered journalists and photographers for not obeying social distancing rules.
The adviser has been a highly divisive figure in British politics ever since masterminding the successful 2016 Brexit campaign alongside Johnson.""
There is the nub! ***ever since masterminding the successful 2016 Brexit campaign alongside Johnson.*** Haha.