More than 1 million people sign petition demanding Dominic Cummings is sacked
Boris Johnson is standing by his senior adviser despite outpouring of public anger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 1 million people have signed a petition calling for Dominic Cummings to be sacked over allegedly breaching the lockdown rules.
Despite Downing Street’s attempts to shift focus away from the row, hundreds of thousands of people added their names to the petition demanding that the prime minister fire his chief aide.
Boris Johnson is standing by his top adviser amid controversy of Mr Cummings’ decision to drive 260 miles to his parents’ house in Durham at the height of lockdown.
While there, Mr Cummings also made a 25-mile trip to Barnard Castle, which he sought to justify by claiming he wanted to test his eyesight ahead of the much longer drive back to London so he could resume his work at No 10.
On Thursday, Durham Constabulary said Mr Cummings may have broken the rules with the Easter Sunday visit to Barnard Castle, but concluded that no action would be taken against him.
But his earlier journey from London to his parents’ farm in County Durham was not an offence, the police said.
Mr Johnson urged people to “move on” from the row during a grilling by MPs on Wednesday but anger at Mr Cummings’ actions from the public, opposition MPs and even Conservatives showed no sign of abating.
Dozens of Tory MPs broke cover to call for his removal from Downing Street, while many privately fear that the row has diluted the public health message and damaged public trust in the government.
A recent YouGov poll found 59 per cent of people thought Mr Cummings should resign and 71 per cent believed he had broken the rules.
In a blow to the government, the Tory lead over Labour narrowed to six points, from 15 points on the week before.
The SNP’s Kirsty Blackman said: “The public outrage on this issue is clear. Over a million people have signed the petition, thousands have been in contact with their MPs, and polls show 63 per cent of the public want the prime minister to take his responsibilities seriously and show Mr Cummings the door.
“Most worryingly, leading public health experts and police officers have warned that the Cummings scandal has eroded public trust in the rules and those who make them – putting lives at risk.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments