Dominic Cummings, Covid-19 rule breaking and the truth twisters

Boris Johnson tweeted, “Our message to the public is: stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’” (Johnson, 2020). To encourage the public to heed this advice the UK government brought into force a health protection bill. Where individuals were not (doing the right thing) complying with restrictions, police officers were empowered to help manage the spread of the coronavirus via a four phase approach: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce (GOV.UK, 2020).

​As with all new powers interpretation and implementation has not been without its lessons learned. Greater Manchester police apologised after arresting and threatening a man with pepper spray. On the one hand, he claimed he was delivering food to vulnerable family members. On the other, he was accused of breaking Covid guidelines (Busby, 2020). Further emergency measures such as the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations have more recently been shown to be targeted towards vulnerable members within society. On 5th May 2020, a homeless man who was outside without a reasonable excuse during the coronavirus lockdown was charged under this regulation (Dearden, 2020).
 
On the whole the majority of the British public have wilfully complied with the Government guidelines. For the small minority who were breaking the rules and according to Matt Hancock (Health Secretary) “risking the lives of others”, were strongly urged to follow the ‘mission-critical rules’ (BBC News, 2020). For those who continued to fall out of line reporting of possible breaches of the official Covid-19 government rules to the police was encouraged (Metropolitan Police, 2020).
 
The reporting of Boris Johnson’s chief advisor Dominic Cummings who allegedly breached the rules has been met with a response which has downplayed his actions (Sky News, 2020). In a Sky News press conference Grant Shapps (Secretary of State for Transport) stated “the guidance is essentially interpreted as taking practical steps to ensure that you follow the measures as best you can”. In quick succession, Dr Jenny Harries (Deputy Medical Officer) noted “all of the guidance has a common sense element to it which includes safeguarding around adults or children”. To add to this, Boris Johnson has openly declared that Dominic Cummings “acted ‘responsibly, legally and with integrity (Walker, 2020).
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A tweet posted on the UK Civil Service twitter account has summed up public response towards these truth twisters (Walker, 2020). Yet, for Boris Johnson his aid’s actions were sensible and defensible in relation to his particular child care needs (Staples, 2020). In this regard Dominic Cummings’ actions of interpreting the guidelines, using his common sense to safeguard and address the needs of his child are being actively repackaged under what any ‘good’ parent would have done discourse.

​This tendency to make exceptions maintains divisions and sheds light on the nature of the application of the government rule of law. All in it together for the greater good motto offered a kind of solace as thousands around the world observed the government lockdown isolation rules and were unable to see, hold, say goodbye or even go to their loved ones funerals. To be implicitly implied by the government that the publics’ wilful obedience of the rules was somehow a failure on their part because they have not applied common sense is nothing short of contempt.
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Dominic Cummings’ actions at best breached the spirit of the government guidance and at worst broke the lockdown rules. One rule for the prime minister's adviser another for everybody else is unjust. In line with calls from politicians such rule breaking warrants Dominic Cummings to resign from his role as chief adviser to the prime minister. 
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“Coronavirus (COVID-19) Sheffield, UK” by Tim Dennell 

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Ian Blackford (Member of Parliament for Ross, Skye and Lochaber) and Tim Loughton (Member of Parliament East Worthing & Shoreham), to list but two, have both publically concluded that his position is no longer tenable. In an interview on Sky News Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer announced “If I were Prime Minister, I would have sacked Cummings” (Keir, 2020).
 
Whether Dominic Cummings remains chief adviser or not, the wider hypocrisy and truth twisting has been met with media/public outrage, as demonstrated by the 453,374 individuals, so far, who have signed a petition entitled Dominic Cummings must be sacked (Change.org, 2020). Such undermining of government rules affirms the us versus them double standards. Are the 14,000+ lockdown fines issued to those for breaking the coronavirus rules going to be cancelled by the government because of the open to interpretation twist? Flouting guidance is not an oversight. Interpreting guidance is not acceptable when so many are grieving for lost loved ones. The government and all its members have to be held accountable for their actions and no member should be above reproach.

Final thought

​It is necessary to bring inequalities to the forefront and to shine a light on the advantages bestowed upon the privileged elite. However, such a focus must not come at a greater cost of gazing away from wider pressing concerns. Distraction techniques are common practice tools applied within the political arena. While scrutinizing the truth twisting around the Dominic Cummings 'alleged' government rule breaking; Boris Johnson's failure to get on top of the coronavirus and the lives it has cost and continues to cost goes relatively under the radar (Calvert, Arbuthnott, Leake and Gadher, 2020).

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Please cite this article as:
Hartles, S, B. (2020) Dominic Cummings, Covid-19 rule breaking and the truth twisters [Online] Available at
https://sharonhartles.weebly.com/dominic-cummings-covid-19-rule-breaking-and-the-truth-twisters (Accessed)

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​Copyright © Sharon Hartles 2022


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