Barnard Castle staycations sees 160% rise in searches after Dominic Cummings' lockdown visit

Searches for Barnard Castle staycations have soared since Dominic Cummings' visit to the Durham town during lockdown prompted a huge row in Westminster.

Hotels.com said it saw a 160 per cent rise for search for accommodation near the town from May 22 to 27, compared with the week before.

The Prime Minister's chief adviser said he made the journey to the North East in March because he was worried he and his wife may not be able to look after their child if they both fell ill.

Before he returned to work in London on April 11, Mr Cummings was spotted in Barnard Castle near the home of his parents.

In an address to the nation on Monday, Mr Cummings said he went on a "short drive" to the small town to test his eyesight, which he claimed had been affected by the disease, as his wife did not want to risk the long drive back to London.

Even though lockdown measures are still in place, Mr Cummings' quick trip to the historic town appears to have piqued the public's interest as Hotels.com reported the steep increase in searches after the scandal broke.

Boris Johnson and his Cabinet ministers have stood behind his top aide with the PM saying he considers the matter closed.

But MPs across the political spectrum are still calling for his resignation with many expressing concerns that his actions have undermined the Government's lockdown message to the public.

Durham police said his journey to Barnard Castle , which he made while he was isolating at his parents' estate, may have broken regulations but he will face no more action.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said on Thursday that pubs and restaurants with beer gardens or open areas will likely be the first hospitality venues to reopen come July, when more lockdown measures are planned to be eased.

Read more

Beer gardens 'to reopen first' as Sunak to give furlough update- LIVE

Man admits sending threatening letters to PM and female MPs

Man in 60s died at medieval Kent castle 'after altercation with boys'

Speeding biker jailed for killing French tourist

Man jailed for mowing down stranger and attacking him with crowbar