Do as I tell you, not what I do...

WHERE to begin on the real background to Dominic Cummings scuttle off to mummy? Maybe I start by saying how deeply ashamed I am to be British these days. I hate that. Britain always stood for something. Now it stands for nothing. Worse than nothing.

Many years ago, when a company I worked for was struggling at a crossroads in a fast developing business a colleague said we were “in danger of losing our sense of true north”. He was so right. And this is where this appalling Government is leading us – astray. Off the path. Away from the moral high ground into the depths of the talgy wood, where the really nasty gripper grabbers walk.

LET us begin by examining what is represented by Cummings actions and public acceptance of the lockdown rules. If the rules are flexible for Cummings will anyone follow them? Well if he accepted he was wrong and resigned no harm would be done. If he did not accept he was wrong but was sacked for his behaviour the rules would be reinforced.

But if he claims what he did was fine and the PM and Cabinet – as they are – back him then irreparable harm will be done. How much will it matter?

WE are now past the first peak and are said to be reasonably confident there will not be a second. But just in case we are putting a major test and track service in place to contain any resurgence. This process was unwisely stopped only a week or two into the crisis. On that basis it must be the case that if the lockdown is eased too fast a second peak becomes more likely.

And that will be made even more certain if public adherence to the rules is damaged by a piece of favouritism by the PM and Cabinet.

So what do they really think they are playing at? Advisers are ten a penny, here today and gone tomorrow hirelings. If the public good can be best served by dumping or even better sacking him then that is the right decision.

But they are busy chummying up to back him. Risking their entire lockdown strategy on the mis-directed whim of a sick man who may not even have been in full possession of his wits.

THE moral bankruptcy and the dereliction of public duty this implies is terrifying. It betrays a Government infinitely more interested in its own power and dogma than the well being of the public it serves.

That this can already by implied by their earlier failures – especially in the area of care homes – leads to only one real conclusion:

Boris Johnson and his Tory Government have no interest in the well-being of the British people. I so accuse. I just wish they would sue me for libelling the cretinous, criminal and morally corrupt bunch of them.

The Cummings and Goings of Dominic:

27 March - Cummings seen running along Downing Street shortly after the prime minister posts video saying he has contracted virus.
28 and 29 March - Over weekend, Cummings is said to have developed coronavirus symptoms.

30 March - Downing Street confirms Cummings is self-isolating after developing symptoms of the virus.

31 March - Joint investigation by The Guardian and the Daily Mirror, shows Cummings travelled to his family's farm in Durham.

31 March - Cummings's family spoken to by the police. Durham Constabulary said: Officers made contact with the owners of the address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house.

14 April - Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus.

22 May - The story breaks.

23 May - Cummings statement claims it was reasonable action to protect child; Number 10 backs him.

POINTS: Cummings family have a nice established home in London . They have a nanny to care for their four year old son. He is a well-paid adviser. Many family members work in Government at Number 10 and could have supported him. He drove while unwell. It is reported that the weekend he drove to Durham was his mother's birthday.