Downing Street refuses to answer further questions on Dominic Cummings and says adviser has given 'full and detailed account'

Downing Street has blocked further questions about Dominic Cummings apparent breaches of lockdown rules, insisting he has given a “full and detailed account”.

Boris Johnson’s chief aide’s extraordinary press conference has triggered fresh criticism of his actions – including his day trip to Barnard Castle and his decision to return to London, after medical advice he claimed.

But the prime minister’s spokesman insisted it was not his job to answer further questions, about a special adviser, saying: “There is nothing for me to add.”

There would be no civil service investigation into whether Mr Cummings broke the code of conduct for advisers, he added, because Mr Johnson is “satisfied with his explanation” for leaving London during lockdown.

The spokesman was unable to say whether he would make himself “open and available” to answer further questions himself.

The stance comes despite Conservative MPs continuing to call for Mr Cummings to resign or be sacked, one junior minister quitting himself in protest at his behaviour.

No 10’s attempt to shut down the controversy was also undermined by a new YouGov poll revealing 59 per cent of the public believes the aide should be sacked – up from 52 per cent at the weekend.

One senior Tory, public administration committee chairman William Wragg, said cabinet ministers tweeting out near-identical messages of support for Mr Cummings was “humiliating and degrading”.

More follows…

Read more

Boris Johnson approval rating plunges by 20 points in four days