Officer spoke to Dominic Cummings' father about son self-isolating in family home, Durham Police confirm

An officer spoke to Dominic Cummings‘ father about his son self-isolating at the family home in Durham, police have confirmed.

The Prime Minister’s chief adviser is accused of breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by making a 250-mile journey to Durham with his family, when his wife had coronavirus symptoms.

Downing Street has defended Mr Cummings’ actions, insisting he “acted in line with guidelines”, adding that claims he was spoken to by police about the matter were wrong.

“At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported,” a statement said.

But Durham Police said officers spoke to Mr Cummings’ father over the phone on April 1.

“Following a significant number of media enquiries over the weekend, Durham Constabulary can add the following detail,” the force said.

“On Tuesday, March 31, our officers were made aware that Dominic Cummings had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.

“At the request of Mr Cummings’ father, an officer made contact the following morning by telephone.

“During that conversation, Mr Cummings’ father confirmed that his son had travelled with his family from London to the North-East and was self-isolating in part of the property.

“Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required. However, the officer did provide advice in relation to security issues.”

Mr Cummings is facing new claims of flouting Government rules amid reports he made a second trip to Durham during the lockdown.

A witness told the Sunday Mirror and the Observer that he was seen on April 19 in woodland near the Durham property he stayed at with his family – days after he was spotted back in Downing Street on April 14, and when strict rules were still in place not to travel.

Both the Labour Party and SNP have questioned who knew, and when, that Mr Cummings had travelled from his home in London to Durham – and whether this was a breach of rules at the time.

After the latest revelations emerged, a Labour source said: “If these latest revelations are true, why on earth were Cabinet ministers sent out this afternoon to defend Dominic Cummings?

In response to the new claims, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Yesterday the Mirror and Guardian wrote inaccurate stories about Mr Cummings.

“Today they are writing more inaccurate stories including claims that Mr Cummings returned to Durham after returning to work in Downing Street on April 14.

“We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers.”