PM special adviser Dominic Cummings makes statement to media

In an unusual event chief strategic adviser to Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings has held a press conference to defend his actions after newspaper reports stating that he flouted lockdown rules by driving 260 miles to a second home in Durham when him and his wife were meant to be isolating.

The strategic adviser said he made the decision to drive from his London home to a cottage on his father's estate 260 miles away in Durham with his wife and four-year-old son after his wife became ill and he feared that he would get ill after being in close contact with people, like the Prime Minister, who had tested positive for coronavirus. He did subsequently get ill.

Cummings said he worried about the safety of his wife and child staying in London after he was subject to threats on social media following reports head had opposed the lockdown. He was also worried about him and his wife being incapacitated and wanted close family close by to help with their child if that situation arose.

He did not speak to the Prime Minister or to anybody else at Number Ten that he was going to do this.

Acccording to his statement Cummings stated that his family went for a walk in some woods on his father's estate where they were seen by members of the public but had no interaction with them. They had not left the property and were on private land.

15 days after developing symptoms on 12 April he stated that he went on a short drive to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight before driving the five hours back to London. He said his eyesight had been affected during his illness so wanted to check.

Cummings states that he does not regret his actions, although he thinks reasonable people might well disagree. He believes he acted legally and in a way that created the least risk for everybody concerned.

He said: "I believe I acted reasonably and legally. I was weighing up what would be best for my family and still acting responsibly.

"I hope that now that everybody has heard what has happened that people will say 'ok' and that they understand the situation. I am here to try and do the best I can for The Government, to try and change the country for the better in lots of ways. It would be up to the Prime Minister if he feels I need to leave."