‘Most unwise’: Police chief condemns Dominic Cummings’ lockdown-breaking trip to Durham

But Downing Street says, actually, driving length of country to use elderly parents for childcare was within guidelines all along

‘Herd’ is a contemptuous expression for Cummings to use about UK citizens (Reut (REUTERS)

Dominic Cummings' lockdown journey from London to County Durham has been slammed as "most unwise" and labelled “concerning” by the region’s acting police and crime commissioner.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's most senior advisor drove his family 260-miles so they could stay at his parent’s property in the middle of coronavirus restrictions.

Downing Street has said the journey was “essential” because Mr Cummings’ wife was displaying symptoms and the couple needed his elderly parents to look after their young son.

But in a statement released Saturday morning, Steve White, a former head of the Police Federation, condemned the mid-lockdown relocation.

“Given the whole ethos of the guidance and regulations issued from the government was to reduce the spread, regardless of reason, by travelling to County Durham when known to be infected was most unwise,” he said.

"To beat this crisis, we need to be selfless as millions have been. The response by the people of County Durham and Darlington have been exemplary, which makes this most frustrating and concerning."

There have been widespread calls for Mr Cummings to resign since the revelation on Friday night.

While some Tory ministers are said to have long-known about the 48-year-old’s journey and temporary relocation, others are understood to be apoplectic at what appears to be flagrant rule- and law-breaking.

Number 10’s claim that his actions – effectively travelling four hours while infected to use elderly relatives for childcare – remained within the government’s own guidelines have been met with astonishment.

Certainly, it appears to have come as news to millions of mothers and fathers who themselves have been desperately struggling without the help of grandparents for more than two months.

In his own statement, Mr White, a former head of the Police Federation in England and Wales, added: "Incidents such as this do not help, and I can appreciate that the longer this goes on the harder it gets, but I encourage the people of County Durham and Darlington to keep up the outstanding effort seen so far by using common sense when following the guidance to stay alert and continue to social distance."

Fleshing out its own explanation Downing Street said: “Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.

"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed. His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside."

In a tweet which will be seen as astonishing even by many Conservative voters, foreign secretary Dominic Raab, insisted that Mr Cummings' actions were all fine.

He said: "It's reasonable and fair to ask for an explanation on this. And it has been provided: two parents with coronavirus, were anxiously taking care of their young child. Those now seeking to politicise it should take a long hard look in the mirror.”

He did not say how that quite squared with the fact millions of loved ones had been denied the chance to see dying relatives for fear of the spread of the virus; nor did he mention the government’s own guidelines: “If you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus, do not leave your home for any reason”.