Oh dear ...
www.thenational.scot/news/18471975.cummings-row-sparks-questions-downing-street-cover/
thenational.scot
Tory minister suggests public were misled about Boris Johnson's illness
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4-5 minutes
TORY minister Grant Shapps seemed to raise the possibility that Downing Street had misled the public over the severity of Boris Johnson’s run-in with coronavirus.
He was left floundering this morning after he insisted Dominic Cummings did not visit Durham for a second time.
The beleaguered Transport Minister said the Prime Minister's right hand man was a “stickler for the rules” and had been in London since the 14th April.
In a joint report, The Observer and Sunday Mirror said Cummings had been seen in Barnard Castle, more than 25 miles from Durham, on 12 April, that he’d then been photographed back in London on 14 April and then spotted again in Houghall Woods near Durham on 19 April.
Shapps said it was untrue that there had been a return visit, but was less clear on the visit to Barnard Castle.
Though he said this would have been outwith the two week isolation period. It would, however, be in breach of lockdown rules.
Johnson has reportedly rushed to the defence of Cummings, telling friends: “It's not like he was visiting a lover.”
According to reports, the Prime Minister has “thrown a protective ring” around his most senior advisor.
He is said to have told friends: “Dominic acted within the guidance and was simply caring for his family. I now consider the matter closed.”
Johnson also told allies he would not throw Cummings “to the dogs”.
Asked when the Prime Minister knew Cummings had left London for the North East of England, Shapps told Ridge: “Well as your viewers probably remember the Prime Minister during exactly the same period was pretty ill, and in fact, eventually in hospital and in ICU so I don't think this will have been high on the Prime Minister's agenda.”
READ MORE: Tory MPs tell Boris Johnson he must sack Dominic Cummings
Ridge pointed out that when Cummings travelled to Durham on the 28th to the 29th of March, Downing Street said the Prime Minister, although showing symptoms of coronavirus and self isolating, was still leading the government, and that he was working from Number 10.
“So were we misled about how serious the Prime Minister's illness was at that time,” she asked
“Sorry I'm not quite sure what you mean by that connection,” Shapps replied."
"We know the prime minister was unwell, we know he carried on working, that's absolutely true. And then he went into hospital, very well documented, I think everyone knew what was going on there. And then, of course, ended up in intensive care after that.“
Ridge pointed out that at the time Cummings is believed to had made this journey to Durham, the Prime Minister was still working as usual.
“Oh yeah. So yeah, I mean he was,” Shapps replied.
“So why didn't he know about it and or did he know about it?” the host asked.
“I don't actually know whether the Prime Minister tracks every single move of Dominic Cummings I think he knew that Dominic Cummings was ill, and was self isolating, which was exactly what he was doing with his wife and, and his child.”
No 10 has said the story in the Sunday Mirror and the Observer is "inaccurate".
Downing Street 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 14 April.
"We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers."