Jeremy Hunt says Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules but insists nothing will be gained from him resigning

Jeremy Hunt has said he believes Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules on multiple occasions, but added that he would not be calling for his resignation.

The Prime Minister is facing a Tory revolt over the position of his top aid, who reportedly breached lockdown rules in March when he travelled to Durham to self-isolate with his family, fearing that he and his wife would be unable to care for their young son.

At least 30 MPs have joined together to demand that Mr Cummings resign while junior minister Douglas Ross has quit over the issue.

But the former Health Secretary said he would not add his voice to those calling to the key adviser to go despite believing that he broke the rules multiple times.

In a letter sent to constituents, Mr Hunt wrote: “Having watched the broadcast yesterday, my own view is that what he did was a clear breach of the lockdown rules – coming back into work when he had been with his wife who was ill, driving to Durham instead of staying at home and visiting Barnard Castle.

“These were clearly mistakes – both in terms of the guidance which was crystal clear, and in terms of the signal it would potentially give out to others as someone who was at the centre of government.”

Mr Hunt added: “But as someone who has been at the centre of media storms with a young family I know you do make mistakes in these situations. I have made them myself.

"So I am afraid I am not going to add my voice to the list of those calling for him to resign.

“I am also not convinced that politics gains much from the spectacle of scalp-hunting even though I recognise that accountability is central to our democracy and sometimes people do need to resign.”

Mr Hunt shared his comments on Twitter, clarifying his full statement and emphasising that he is not calling for Mr Cummings' resignation.

It came after Piers Morgan shared the first part of his statement which only read that Mr Cummings had broken the rules.

Cabinet ministers like Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Dominic Raab have all rallied behind Mr Cummings.

During the Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he understood the “anger that some people feel” over Dominic Cummings actions.

“I regret the anger that some people feel and Mr Cummings himself said that – with hindsight – he should have got all the facts out earlier,” Mr Hancock said.

But he said his focus was on the next steps in tackling the crisis.

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