Published 01:25 IST, May 26th 2020

Cummings admits taking third trip amid lockdown, says 'I don't regret what I did'

UK PM’s adviser Cummings has not only admitted taking a third trip during nationwide lockdown but has also said that he ‘doesn’t regret’ his decisions.

Reported by: Aanchal Nigam
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s adviser Dominic Cummings has t only admitted taking a third trip during nationwide lockdown but has also said that he ‘doesn’t regret’ his decision. While Cummings is under scrutiny for travelling while government protocol had asked all citizens to remain indoors to curb furr spread of deadly coronavirus, he confirmed having taken a ‘test drive’ to Barnard Castle along with wife and son. 

Cummings, in a press conference outside Downing Street, said that third trip was to Barnard Castle, 30 minutes away, to check if he could make a 300-mile trip back to London as he had developed COVID-19 symptoms. UK PM’s adviser even revealed that his eyesight had been affected with disease and during that ‘short’ trip, family spotted a passer-by but ne of family members went near individual adhering to social distancing rms.

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Meanwhile, Cummings' decision to defy government’s ‘stay at home’ orders has led to many Tory MP’s calling for his resignation. 

Read - UK PM Boris Johnson Receives Flak After He Refuses To Sack Dominic Cummings

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Read - Dominic Cummings Controversy: Boxer Tony Bellew Backs Politician Amid UK Lockdown Breach

'Exceptional measures'

However, citing ‘exceptional measures’ to make those trips, UK PM’s adviser had earlier said that he will ‘obviously t’ resign for going to Durham from London at end of March. In press conference, Cummings said, “I don’t regret what I did” and added that he was “trying to balance all of se very complicated things” like ensuring healthcare of his four-year-old son.

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Johnson’s top aide even said that he “wasn’t looking for loopholes” in government rules to justify his series of trips and added, “It’s t a simple matter of regulations...It doesn’t say you should stay at home in all circumstances”. 

Moreover, hours after Johnson backed his adviser’s actions as “reasonable”, Cummings admitted that he had t sought UK PM’s permission in advance. According to Cummings, Johnson “had a million things on his plate” but both officials had discussed  matter nearly seven days after trips were made. According to reports, Johnson’s adviser said that he can t approach UK PM “all day asking what do you think about this”. However, Cummings added, “Maybe, I should have done”. 

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Speaking about UK's main opposition party calling for an urgent investigation into matter, Cummings took to Twitter and said that he would soon reveal a new "idiot-proof" slogan for Brexit so that people can let go of his "little outing(s)".

Read - 'Clear Demonstration Of Contempt From A Sitting PM,' Says JK Rowling Over Cummings Row

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Read - UK PM Johnson Backs Dominic Cummings In Lockdown Row, Says He Acted 'responsibly, Legally'

Im Source: AP

01:25 IST, May 26th 2020