Government whip says he would not have acted like Dominic Cummings during lockdown

Mike Freer said he would not have acted like Dominic Cummings
PA
Nicolas Cecil27 May 2020
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Boris Johnson's defence of Dominic Cummings was dealt a blow today after it emerged that one of his own Government whips said he "certainly" would not have acted like the No10 aide accused of breaking lockdown rules.

Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, added that it was "entirely reasonable for people to vehemently disagree with his (Mr Cummings) view of events".

Some MPs have received hundreds of letters from constituents angry at Mr Cummings's apparent breach of the Government's own rules with his 260-mile journey to a cottage on his parents farm estate in County Durham at the height of the lockdown in late March.

Mr Freer, a Government whip and highly-respected MP at Westminster, responded to one constituent Azeem Azhar, by saying: "I certainly would not have taken the actions Mr Cummings did.

"There is an argument that can be made for Mr Cummings' trip, and I know that many will understand his actions as a father.

"Of course, it is entirely reasonable for people to vehemently disagree with his view of events.

"I do not believe it is the conclusion many of my constituents, or myself, would have reached.

"Many would simply not have taken this course of action."

Dominic Cummings has faced a backlash over a trip to Durham
AFP via Getty Images

Mr Cummings insists he did not break the rules and that he acted responsibly in doing what was best for his four-year-old son as his sister and niece would be able to support them if necessary in County Durham.

But more than 35 Tory MPs have called for him to quit and one minister has resigned over the scandal.

Cabinet ministers have sought to defend Mr Cummings, though privately a number of them are believed to think he should go.

Mr Freer, who as a whip is responsible for party discipline at Westminster, made clear he had raised his concerns over the storm with No10.

He added: "As a Government minister, I am in the privileged position of being able to ensure your views, the strength of your views, alongside my own views, are conveyed directly to the Prime Minister," he added in his letter.

"I take my role in representing the constituency very seriously and in my experience, firm but private representations are more effective than public denunciations."

Mr Azhar tweeted the letter, adding: "Govt Whip and my MP, Mike Freer, on the Cummings situation. (Thatcher's old constituency.)

"Kudos for Mike to take the time to write and respond with clarity."

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