Posted: Mon 25th May 2020

Updated: Mon 25th May

North Wales Conservative MPs silent on Cummings lockdown controversy

North Wales news and information
This article is old - Published: Monday, May 25th, 2020

Update: Delyn’s Rob Roberts has issued a statement via Facebook – we have included it in full at the bottom of this article.

Original article below…

No Conservative MP in North Wales has responded to a query asking if they supported the Prime Minister’s view that Dominic Cummings acted on instinct and integrity during lockdown.

Senior Downing Street advisor Dominic Cummings, whose role also sees him attend the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies committee that feeds into Welsh Government pandemic thinking, has caused controversy due to travelling from London to Durham during lockdown.

Yesterday saw a public briefing by the Prime Minster Boris Johnson where the actions of Mr Cummings were defended, with Mr Johnson saying “In every respect, he has acted responsibly, legally and with integrity”.

The Prime Minister said, “It is because I take this matter so seriously and frankly it is so serious that I can tell you today I have had extensive face to face conversations with Dominic Cummings and I have concluded that in travelling to find the right kind of childcare, at the moment when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus. And when he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father and every parent. And I do not mark him down for that. And though there have been many other allegations about what happened when he was in self-isolation and thereafter, some of them palpably false.”

“I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly, and legally, and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.”

Claims have been made that Mr Cummings had been seen around 30 miles away at Barnard Castle during his period of self isolation, with another more solid dispute of facts surfacing between Downing Street and Durham Police. Downing St issued a statement saying “at no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter”, whereas the police state they did make contact with Mr Cummings’ father and offered advice.

Mr Johnson also defended the trip on the grounds of finding childcare, however a day earlier a Downing St statement detailed how no extra childcare had actually been required.

Over the weekend several other ‘spots’ of Mr Cummings near Durham have been documented on twitter, timestamped well before the current furore had erupted.

Yesterday evening we emailed Conservative MPs asking for their opinion on the matter, and asked specifically if they supported the Prime Minister’s view that the Mr Cummings acted legally and with integrity in his actions.

We pointed out that many people locally have personally followed the lockdown regulations, and guidance, to the letter with many therefore unable to see friends, relatives or be present at births, deaths or funerals. One inference taken by many following the televised briefing was such things were by choice, whereas acting on instinct could have been a reasonable excuse and inside the law.

We also noted that Mr Johnson said the guidance issued by UK Government remains in place and has not changed. We asked if they believed people should follow the legal regulations as set separately in England and Wales, or should they take action according to ‘instincts’ – as referred to by Mr Johnson.

Last night we contacted either direct, the offices or, or both, Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Môn, Rob Roberts MP for Delyn, James Davies MP for Vale of Clwyd, David Jones MP for Clwyd West, Robin Millar MP for Aberconwy, Sarah Atherton MP for Wrexham and Simon Baynes MP for Clwyd South.

We have had no response from any of the MPs.

UPDATE
Delyn MP Rob Roberts has issued the below statement via his Facebook page:
Well, I picked an interesting time to have a “weekend off” social media! But it was necessary to escape some of the horrendous and disgusting messages and to clear my head.
I have received messages and emails about Dominic Cummings. I have many questions to be answered (which I am putting to the relevant people) and will await the responses before I pass judgement or comment further.
Trial by media is not acceptable, in my opinion. The reaction of the press and others outside his home and some online comments have disgusted me. I have been on the receiving end from social media in the past and it has an awful impact on your mental well-being. Political opinion and activism shouldn’t override basic human decency.
I will make my own judgement when I am in possession of all the facts. Either way, nobody should have to put up with a baying mob outside their home.
This period of lockdown has intensified and magnified every behaviour. We have seen the very best of British behaviour but sadly also some of the worst and most disgraceful, particularly on social media.
Of course it is right that we cannot have one rule for one and another for the rest. I have asked for a proper investigation into the situation and whatever the outcome that should be the end of the matter. If Mr Cummings has acted inappropriately according to an investigation, then he should go. If an investigation concludes that he hasn’t, then he shouldn’t. The media doesn’t get to call the shots on who is hired and fired.
I have nothing further to say about it at this time.



Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email news@north.wales

More...

Plans Submitted to Create Studio Flat Above Fast Food Restaurant on Wrexham’s High Street

Wrexham

Runner’s life saved by health board PA after suffering cardiac arrest in St Asaph

Denbighshire

Concerns raised about length of council meetings in Flintshire

Flintshire

Three arrested after assault and anti-social behaviour in Prestatyn

Denbighshire

Conwy County Council Rejects Sunny’s Bar Application for Easter Weekend Opening

Conwy

Plan to Demolish Holyhead’s 1970s Police Station Building Submitted to Council Planners

Anglesey