Boris Johnson Refuses To Publish Dominic Cummings' Evidence On Lockdown Breach

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Boris Johnson has refused to publish the evidence Dominic Cummings gave him to save his job after he apparently breached coronavirus lockdown rules.

Under pressure from Labour’s Meg Hillier, the prime minister claimed he had seen evidence that showed some of the allegations about his senior aide were false.

In an extraordinary Monday press conference, Cummings admitted the central claims – that he drove 260 miles to Durham during lockdown and took a trip to Barnard Castle.

Johnson said he had seen evidence that other claims made were false.

But he refused to publish or hand it to cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, the head of the civil service, to probe the adviser’s actions.

The PM told the Commons liaison committee: “It would not be doing my job if I were now to shuffle this problem into the hands of officials who believe me, as I think the public would want, are working flat out to deal with coronavirus.

Johnson also denied that the public are now less likely to abide by restrictions because of Cummings’ actions despite polls suggesting they are more likely to flout the rules.

Conservative MP Simon Hoare told the PM the nation will be “far less energetic” about obeying future restrictions as “a direct result of the activities of your senior adviser”.

Hoare asked what MPs should tell constituents who ask: “If other people don’t abide by it, why on earth should we?” He added: “We know what your views are. Frankly, prime minister, I don’t think anybody understands why you hold those views.”

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