Ill-judged

All through whatever happens or has happened, remember that the Government guideline is that if you or a household member tests positive or shows symptoms of COVID, isolate for 14 days and do not travel.

Stay home. Stay safe. Help the NHS.

It really is that simple. Which is why over the Easter weekend, the only thing we did outside our property was to walk to the Monument and down to Kingsdown. We came straight back and did not go out all weekend. We listened to the advice and did not want to risk infecting anyone else, or they infecting us.

It really was that simple.

We could have gone out, visit orchid sites out of the way from where people live. But we didn't.

We stayed home.

We did not break those regulations until May 8th. When we drove 20 minutes to a reserve and walked two hours, well within regulations.

At no point did we think of driving to anywhere else in the country, let alone to the North East. I mean no one I know owns a castle, let alone two, so that wasn't an option for us. But the PM's very special advisor who we know sat in on all SAGE meetings and shaped policy through COBRA meetings thought it would be OK to drive 260 miles to Durham.

There is evidence he returned to London, and returned to Durham before the end of the month, as he was seen walking in a bluebell wood. On Bank Holiday Monday, April 13th, did we think we could drive 30 miles to say, Canterbury, and do some sightseeing.

Dominic Cummings did.

He took his sick wife and young son on a six hour drive north, stopping at least one thus helping possibly spread the virus to yet more people.

It turns out that some elements of the press asked Downing Street if reports they had been sent were true that Cummings had been in Durham. They refused to comment for two weeks.

And then the shit hit the fan.

The police called at the house where Cummings and his family were staying and advised regarding his actions.

Downing Street and several ministers doubted Durham Constabulary's account. So they had to issue a strong worded updated statement naming Cummings.

There was just two courses of action open to Johnson and Cummings yesterday: Cummings could resign or if he didn't, Johnson would fire him. To fail to do that would undermine the advice and guidance that has been pumped out since March 13th. It would destroy trust in Johnson and his Government. Anyway, the evidence is clear, Cummings acted against the advice he "helped" shape.

Johnson backed Cummings and stated that Cummings had told him that no law had been broken, so no action needed to be taken and Cummings had his full support.

This destroys any chance of keeping people within social distancing, as it now seems if you think you would be a better parent by doing something else, then that's OK, because it's Cummings' excuse. There might well be a second wave of infections, more likely now.

Fun times ahead.

We have no idea what shit Cummings has on Johnson, or that Johnson is so shit and/or lazy that he can't do anything without Cummings telling him.

The rule of law is now gone. The Attorney General backed Cummings too over the weekend. What about putting the law she was sworn to uphold over the survival of her political party?

I am not surprised to be honest, of what has transpired. Johnson was always like this, if you voted for him after all what he has, and hasn't done over the years, more fool you. He would put his own survival above the national good, even when 60,000 people have died. Nothing is too much.

Finally, Brexit was supposed to take power out of the hands of unelected bureaucrats, we have Cummings who is apparently unsackable and is dismantling the Civil Service and structure of Government. But I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

The Daily (Hate) Mail has come down in demanding that Cummings be sacked, which is quite a shift. But the Express, Time and of course the Torygraph are toeing the )toty) party line and supporting the decision.

This afternoon (Monday) Cummings is to make a public speech and take questions. Which seems to go against article 14 of the SPADs code of conduct, but rules were made to be broken, clearly.