Despite Dominic Cummings’s statement, his lockdown breach remains an insult to the public

Editorial: The most important consequence of the scandal surrounding PM’s top aide remains the damage it has done to the government’s central message of staying home

Out of the shadows and into the sunshine of the Downing Street rose garden, the British people got their first proper view of the (until very recently) obscure figure who has caused so much anger and consternation.

During Dominic Cummings’s long exposure to the journalists (who he is known to view with contempt), he did a number of things, not all of them helpful to the government’s case. First, he expressed no regret, no contrition and habitually blamed the media for the public’s widespread hostility. Second, he betrayed a certain amount of subterfuge when he said he’d not informed the prime minister about his movements straight away. Third, he admitted that he could and should have got his side of the story out earlier, and he nailed a few canards. Most of all, though, Mr Cummings confirmed that he had indeed broke the very lockdown rules he was partly responsible for, though he pleaded mitigating circumstances. The original point stands: he did not have to drive to Durham in the first place, and the rules did not allow for it. It remains an insult to the public. The story about testing his eyesight by driving through County Durham for 30 miles was a particularly tall tale.

By far the most important consequence of the Cummings scandal remains the damage it has done to the government’s still central message of staying home, still technically in force despite being already diluted to the nebulous “stay alert” slogan. It has given a green light to those tiring of social distancing in any case.