Croydon MP opens up about Dominic Cummings

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

A Croydon MP has broken his silence on the Dominic Cummings saga – more than a week after it was revealed the Prime Minister’s adviser travelled to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.

Conservative MP Chris Philp said he was waiting for the result of a Durham Police investigation – which on Thursday concluded that Mr Cummings may have committed a “minor breach” of lockdown rules when he made a journey to Barnard Castle.

But the force does not consider an offence was made when he made the 260 mile trip to stay at his parents’ farm.

Mr Philp the MP for Croydon South has not, like more than 40 Conservative MPs, called on Mr Cummings to resign.

He said that Durham Police would not have taken enforcement action on Mr Cummings and it would amount to treating him differently than other members of the public for retrospective action to be taken.

Many on Twitter have been calling on the MP to state his position on the issue. He says an email will be sent to concerned constituents today.

In a statement Mr Philp said: “I know that many people have made huge sacrifices – including not seeing ill or elderly relations, and in some cases even missing funerals of loved ones – and understandably feel that everyone should abide by the spirit of the rules.

“I have not seen my own elderly parents (aged 83 and 77) since before the lockdown, owing to the guidelines, and I know that many other people will be in a similar or worse situation. But I am also a father myself, so equally understand that parents want to do what they think best for their young children, which is what apparently happened in the Dominic Cummings case.

“I fully understand the strong feelings that this episode has caused. Please be assured that I have passed on this strength of feeling to those at the centre of Government.”

Croydon’s two Labour MPs Sarah Jones and Steve Reed both came out against the actions of the Prime Minister’s aide last week.

And neighbouring MP for Carshalton and Wallington  Elliot Colburn, is one of at least 40 Conservative MPs to call on Mr Cummings to resign from his role.

Last week he said: “As we start to relax some of the lockdown measures, we must continue to stay alert in order to prevent a second wave of this virus. I fear this situation risks undermining those efforts, just when we are seeing a significant reduction in the number of tragic lives this virus has claimed.”