I know this is going to be an unpopular point of view but on the facts of the case, assuming he is telling the truth, I can't see that he has done anything out of order. Even if he has, the scale and viciousness of media reaction is ridiculous.
Driving over 250 miles was hardly an easy option. Kinder to the child though than setting up emergency child care with a stranger at short notice - with the possibility that both parents might have ended up in hospital. Not an option open to everyone but that is irrelevant. Equally, not everyone was already, according to his statement, under siege by the press in their home and receiving threats.
IMHO the media frenzy is not because of the facts but a) because he is widely disliked and b) for political reasons.
I am not a Tory and do not feel well disposed towards Cumings but I think the media are behaving appallingly - and hypocritically, since there is no "physical distancing" by the mob outside his home.
The incessant allegations that Cumings' actions will lead others to change their behaviour and ignore the government are pathetic and patronising. The media seem to want this to be a self-fulfilling prophesy, just so they can have something else to throw at him, without any regard for the consequences for public health.
I had no sympathy for Prof Neil Ferguson and felt it was right that he resigned. He clearly went against Government instructions - of his own making - and there was no lee-way for a legover!
However, there was always an exception when it came to children. If the police did stop anyone out on the same mission and charge them then they were wrong to do so.
I think that the press are being self-indulgent, are enjoying the excitement and speculation and the excuse for some juicy investigative journalism that makes a change from reporting on Covid-19.
If they get their way and topple Cumings, this won't be the last of it. They will sniffing around for a story about someone else to shame and hound, with a story as close to the facts of this one as possible. That's how the press works. Preferably someone in the public eye but failing that anyone will do. (It won't be me, in case anyone thinks I have a personal reason for thinking this way.)
There are far more important things the press should be covering instead of using up all their questions at the daily briefing nit-picking about Cumings. The sooner they get over it and re-focus the better.