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Dominic Cummings' parents leap to his defence, saying public not aware of his uncle's death

Dominic Cummings has faced increasing criticism over his trip to Durham - Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Dominic Cummings has faced increasing criticism over his trip to Durham - Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Dominic Cummings' mother has defended his decision to travel to Durham in early April, pointing to the fact it coincided with the death of his uncle.

Morag Cummings told the New Statesman that her brother Lord Justice Laws, to whom the Prime Minister's chief adviser was close, had died in London of or with Covid-19 that day.

Mrs Cummings told the New Statesman: "My brother, Dominic’s uncle, died on Palm Sunday…  You know, we have been a grieving family, and there's been no recognition of that, and I wish reporters would be cognisant of that fact.

"Palm Sunday was the day that John [Lord Justice Laws] died, the same day as the Prime Minister was taken into hospital, the same day that the Queen gave her magnificent address to the nation. That was Palm Sunday."

Although Mrs Cummings declined to say whether her son had travelled to Durham partly because of his uncle being in hospital, she said: "I have no other comment to make other than to say that my brother died on Palm Sunday, and the press has not been cognisant of that fact, either from Dominic's point of view or from mine."

Laws' daughter, Margaret Grace, who lives in London, said: "The relationship my dad had with Dominic was very, very strong. It really has affected my family."

However, this is at odds with the reason give by Boris Johnson for Mr Cummings' decision to drive 260 miles to Durham while his wife was displaying symptoms of coronavirus.

"In travelling to find the right kind of childcare, when he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father and of every parent," the Prime Minister said at Sunday's Downing Street press conference.