'Beyond belief': West Midlands police chief calls for Dominic Cummings to be sacked
A West Midlands police chief has called for Dominic Cummings to be sacked after he drove his family 260 miles during the pandemic.
David Jamieson, the region's police and crime commissioner, said the police's job of enforcing lockdown measures has been made "much harder" due to the actions of the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor.
Over the weekend, it emerged Mr Cummings had travelled from London to County Durham in March to self-isolate with his family - despite strict restrictions against long-distance journeys.
Boris Johnson had offered his "full support" to his under-fire chief adviser.
Last night, the Observer and Sunday Mirror reported that the 48-year-old later made a second trip to Durham and was seen there on April 19.
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West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "The police’s job of enforcing the lockdown has been made much harder after both the actions of Dominic Cummings travelling over 260 miles and the flexibility with which the government now seem to interpret the guidance.
"People will now say there is one rule for them and one rule for the Prime Minister’s political advisors.
"Across the country millions of people are making sacrifices, including scores of police officers and staff who have separated from their families to protect their health and the health of the nation.
"It seems beyond belief that to justify the breach of guidance they appear to now be questioning the honesty and credibility of Durham Police.
"The Prime Minster, Boris Johnson should sack Dominic Cummings forthwith, to restore public confidence and some credibility to his handling of this dreadful Covid-19 crisis."
Warley MP John Spellar, who is a Labour Party member, also called for Mr Cummings to go.
Mr Spellar said: "I think it is very clear he has lost the confidence not only of the country but also the confidence of most of the Conservative MPs.
"The Government, for it to get its message back on track, frankly he has to go."
