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Downing Street has admitted it did not know where Dominic Cummings was when it told reporters he was self-isolating “at home”.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson on March 31 told journalists the prime minister’s top aide was “in touch with No.10” but “at home” self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms. In fact, Cummings had in fact driven 260 miles to a family property in Durham where he allegedly broke the lockdown.
Asked whether he knew if “at home” meant Durham or London, the spokesperson told reporters: “No.
“The context of my answer was pointing out that he wasn’t at work.”
Asked whether he knew where Cummings was, the spokesperson said: “No.
“I hadn’t asked the question, it’s not something that I would expect to enquire about beyond telling you that he wasn’t at work and that he was self isolating.”
“I hadn’t asked and I wouldn’t have been expecting to be told that.
“It was based on the fact he wasn’t at work and he was self isolating.”
The PM’s spokesperson was also unable to explain why Downing Street said in a statement on Saturday that Cummings’ wife had been infected with suspected coronavirus, which Cummings himself later contradicted.
He said: “He set out his account of what had happened yesterday. I think it was a very full and detailed account and there’s nothing for me to add to it.”
The spokesperson also declined to answer numerous questions that followed Cummings extraordinary Monday press conference in which he responded to allegations he broke the lockdown.
“I can’t be a spokesman for special advisers, that’s not my job,” the spokesperson said.
“If you have questions in that regard, they’ll have to go elsewhere, I’m afraid.
“The PM asked Dominic Cummings to set out his explanation in public and he did that last night. He answered questions extensively.”