The science has left the building (4)

[SouthWestmom]

New thread inspired by Whitty and Valance exiting stage right today

The full statement says that there might have been a minor breach.

www.durham.police.uk/news-and-events/Pages/News%20Articles/Durham-Constabulary-press-statement--.aspx

Surely there either has or hasn’t been a breach?

Surprised they’ve ok’d the london to Durham trip.

It was just on the BBC lunchtime news. The trip to Durham wasn’t against rules but the Castle trip was. However if he had been stopped by police he would have only been told to turn round and go back, so only a minor offence and they won’t be taking it further.

For anyone who might be interested... here is a twitter link with a live doc showing which Tory MPs have
Called for a resignation 42
Criticised Cummings 51
Supported Cummings 124
Neutral 45
No info

Figures are as above at the moment, it lists them all individually if you want to look up your own MP if they're Tory

twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1265687968590766084

It should read...
No info 103

So S is supported? That's my MP! Pro a any not a wise move as the Attorney General. She may have failed better waiting until the police completed their investigation.

If someone is speeding and gets away with it it is still in breach of the rules, not acting "reasonably and in accordance with the law".

In a way, I think this is for the best if DC stays as this is just the beginning of what him and BJ have cooked up for us and one of the follow up surprises will finish them off.

From David Allen Green:

Power of police to direct a person home is under regulation 8(3)(a): www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/regulation/8/made

To exercise power, police must be consider there was a breach of 6(1) - there was no reasonable excuse.

If the Durham police statement means that an officer would have exercised the 8(3)(a) power to direct Cummings home then it would mean the officer would have considered Cummings to have been committing an offence.

In my view, that would mean that, had Cummings refused to follow the advice, then such a direction would have been given.

The "might" in the statement means that the police would have "considered" that there was a breach for the exercise the 8(3)(a) power.

It would not be for the police officer to determine criminal liability: that is a matter for the court.

The Secret Barrister tweeted similar regarding the 'might'

Lots of excitement about “might”.

The reason for this is that the police don’t determine breaches; they form an opinion. If that opinion is disputed, a court will decide.

In this context, “might” means the police concluded it was. Hence they say they would have sent him back.

I cannot WAIT to see the next issue of Private Eye.

I hadn't thought of complaining about the spectator article. According to the report there have only been 2, maybe we.should send a few more?!

Do we want another thread before the next briefing? I feel like the PM has the conclusion he wanted/needed.

Hasn't broken the law but they didn't consider guidance (London to Durham)

May have broken the law but no retrospective consideration (Durham to Castle)

So the public know he's a slimy git but the PM doesn't have to sack him. Interesting that the guidance doesn't have any legal status then. Didn't check that.

Also is someone to set up a new thread?.

If it's compulsory they'll have to buy smart phones for people like me who don't have one

Will it be like Universal Credit......................them moaning that people need a smartphone while simultaneously moaning at poorer people for having one.

No lost opportunities Helena they will have lots of photos I imagine

Matt Hancock trending under DeathSecretary now ...

Surely breaching the lockdown is not seen as that big a crime anyway, you only get a small fine. It's the social stigma of breaking rules for the greater good at a time of national emergency when everyone else is doing their bit, that has people being strict on the rules. That's what D.C has fallen foul of.

Surely breaching the lockdown is not seen as that big a crime anyway

But he was found to be acting contrary to the law - which is not what Johnson and Braverman said. They did not tell the truth.

It's the lying, covering up and lack of remorse that has made me angry. Boris is treating us like idiots.

owie
@NikkiLowe1
·
8m
If Durham Police consider Dominic Cummings excursion to Barnard Castle 'minor' what would be considered major? Did he need to fly to Italy and lick all the aeroplane seats to actually be brought to account

twitter.com/NikkiLowe1/status/1266004812073754626?s=20

Yes please Neouf I like them just for the titles. Makes me giggle (immature I know) every time it pops up in TIO!

Yang and being the architect of the StayAtHome restrictions. He wrote that 'slogan' FFS!
Yet, can't keep to it himself.

Law or not, it's all what someone asked him in the garden of No.10. Do you regret riding a lorry through the spirit of the StayAtHome message being given?
No apology. No regret.

What we have to think here... there will be government servants out there who would have resigned for the good of the country, for the good of the pandemic message being put out, for the good of the party in power but not him.

The only very small good thing to come out of this for me...
He will forever be remembed as the official who drove 52 miles to check his eyesight was OK. Memes and Gifs will follow him round for the rest of his life. Good

Secondly, this has shone a light on Boris and his complete ineptitude, and maybe a few ex Labour voters who went for good old buffoon Boris might be having second thoughts.

I think BJ needs to admit he did break lockdown and apology about that and then it will die down but they should acknowledge it.

Latest tannoy announcements on the SS Torytannic:

"Would Mr and Mrs Cummings please come to the boat deck. Your exclusive places in Lifeboat Number 1 have been reserved and all space in lifeboats 2,3 and 4 has been allocated for your luggage."

After a short pause:

"Owing to a regrettable shortage of lifeboats, all Third Class passengers should go to the Third class canteen where the ship's orchestra will be playing a selection of suitably funereal hymns for your distraction. Remember, it is your civic duty to comply....."

Thank you Roussette for the link showing how the Con MPs decided on Dominic Cummings.
My MP was neutral and I have emailed her again saying how disappointed I am with her decision.
It's because of the people here posting on Mumsnet that I have found, for the first time, my voice and let my MP know how angry and frustrated I am rather seething, impotently at home, thank you

Agree with @itsgettingweird I'm looking forward to @neouf title too