Who can travel? Princes and prime ministers?

JenniferEccles according to Mrs Cummings's story that is not what happened.

She tells of their small child nursing his sick father with fierce determination, feeding him Ribena, taking his temperature and advised other parents who are ill to do the same, allowing their child to get out their doctor's kit and help.
There is no mention of being in a separate house or an aunt looking after the child, as in later accounts.
Why the need to go, then, potentially burdening the NHS in an area away from home?

No, there are thousands who have been desperate to help their own families but have stayed home and obeyed the rules.

I can understand the feeling that it’s one rule for them and one for the rest of us and my initial reaction to the story was to be as cross as everyone else, until I asked myself what would I have done if I was in their situation.

I definitely read that they stayed in a separate house on the parents’ farm which seemed believable as farms often have several spare cottages.

Not me, Jennifer because it wasn't the most sensible course of action, was it?

My family have contingency plans should they fall Ill and GCs need looking after and it doesnt involve them travelling over 100 miles to be with us therefore endangering anyone they happen to be in contact with on the way. These plans were made even before 23rd March. We also have arrangements in place should we or our elderly parents fall Ill. Not rocket science really is it ??just forward planning. Which bit about Stay Home Protect NHS Save lives was confusing.

youtu.be/Gw07XXvuG8o

Baggs
I think that the timeline was different. I think Boris got iller as they were getting better.

We need to get things straight here. At the time of this journey, his wife and ONLY his wife were showing symptoms, he was fine. He supposedly decided to make this journey in case he got it. He actually is expecting us to believe that there was no one in all of London that could be contacted to step in for childcare IF it became necessary. Are they expecting us to believe that their 4 year old child doesn’t have a babysitter/childminder/nursery that could have been contacted or a relative or friend close by. Ludicrous is the word that comes to mind

Whatever the precise timeline, it is clear that Cummings made a long journey when at least one of the family was ill. However they try to justify it, it was going against the guidelines they had drawn up. Others in powerful positions have resigned. So should he.
As for BJ saying that he followed his instincts, well we could all say that to justify our actions. It doesn’t make them right. What an example to set!

You all need to to get your facts straight. He wasn't I'll his wife was. He went in case he got I'll as well. It was his sister who helped them. Also, although they do not wish to make publicity out if it, the child is four and as a learning difficulty. You lot only interpret what you want it to be to be nasty.

But if he had got a nanny to look after his child that would also have been against the guidelines as if one person in a household is ill, obviously nobody else could come in the house during the two week quarantine period.

I still can’t see what he could have done which wouldn’t have broken the guidelines.

DC Is the campaign logo king - he was the architect of five messaging and conceived the Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives mantra - he then very arrogantly flouted that ‘advice’ because he thinks he’s god and actually BJ’s defence of him confirms that - BJ himself should be called out as duplicitous because this is a clearly a case of one rule for them and one for us. There was no need for DC to leave London - London is awash with live-in nurses and nannies and he could have followed the mantra easily. But he scurried off to a second home like a rat leaving a sinking ship just because he was frightened and could in the knowledge thst BJ would not chide him. How he travelled 260 miles without stopping for a pee I don’t know. So BJ tells people in the week of 16th March that people must not follow their instincts to visit their mothers on Mothers’ Day but it turns out now that DC was only following his instincts when he drove 260 miles with the virus. How anybody can defend either one of these arrogant people I have no idea - they should both be sacked and that’s not a political statement it’s a statement of what’s right especially given the number of lives lost needlessly.

Why make this political? Judgements should be made on what people do - not the colour of their skin, their religion, how much they earn or which political party they vote for. Those kind of judgements are just sad and sour.

“If you can be one thing - be kind” xx

Sorry Jennifer you are wrong here, nannies were still working and the home of a child they are looking after is their place of work. Therefore a nanny going into their home would have been perfectly acceptable and if as gas been suggested the child is on the spectrum being in his own home would definitely been preferable as change from their routine is when they have problems coping

In my childrens/ grandchildrens case wild horses or sanctimonious stasi wouldnt stop me going to the rescue of many member of my family.

Regardless of the interpretation of the rules & whether or not this was a practical solution, shouldn’t the people who are in charge & who make the rules be seen to keep them out of respect for those of us who do actually abide by the regulations?

Summerstorm you have said what I have been thinking this am.

all the money they have at their disposal, unlike many of us peasants out here, and they couldn`t have a nanny or someone here in London to help out?

I am thinking, perhaps uncharitably, that he/they got scared and decided to leave London, as many of those people who live in London, with the money, and place to go, left London at the height of the reported cases.

I wonder how many mothers on here would leave their four year old isolated with someone unknown for an unspecified period?

I wouldn't.

Aren't nannies and child minders off work at the moment anyway?

My first thought too MissAdventure, what must the parents of that poor child be thinking now.

"Do as I say, not as I do"
That says it all doesn't it? He and his wife were showing symptoms, must have had a toilet stop at least once, and saw elderly parents (in their 70s I heard) when they arrived! The instructions (which he probably had a say in too) were do not go out at all when showing symptoms, self isolate in a bedroom and use a separate bathroom when he drove up to Durham. That, in my book, is not only contradicting the rules but also should invoke a fine and a resignation. Simple isn't it? I have been in lockdown for nearly 12 weeks now, I'm over 70, I have had no symptoms but would still not behave like that. I haven't been able to look after any of my grandchildren like I normally do.My daughter probably had the virus but I didn't help out as I would normally do, she just had to get on with it!
What is their normal childcare set up? Do they have a nanny normally, or can't a relative in London (I've heard that's the case) help out for a few days? Shocking behaviour, and he should resign, or be sacked - no question!

Thanks Decembergirl that is a nice saying. Having read the thread who has not been kind in this debate. It gets a bit confusing not everyone has to agree but doesn't mean any One is being unkind unless I have missed something. Everyone's opinion is valid just not the same as each other.

Hear hear Noni. Most people especially those on the frontline have made sacrifices and DC should have set an example.

I can't believe that more people on here are nor incandescent with rage...thank you Goldenageit was a relief to read your post.
There has been a gross injustice, betrayal, endorsed by the bluffing blustering PM. So many people have died through the late lockdown and lack of testing and tracing, so many people have sacrificed their 'instincts' for the common good. How dare the PM say such things - a 'decent father following his instincts'. My daughter rang me this morning astounded at the relative lack of action and shock and she said - I bet they are sounding off on Gransnet...well the answer is 'no not really' many people are defending him swallowing the sentimental lies. If he were an honourable man and he was faced with that dilemna he could have publicly owned to it. And to save the PM he would resign. The HMgov guidelines were quite specific if you are sick do not leave your house. There was massive help in the area for the welfare of his child. Layers of lies to cover the entitlement of this priviliged man who wanted to be in an area where there was less covid-19 so they would be safer. All his actions were selfish. And his wife is a blatent liar.
For the government to have any integrity for future guidelines DC should not only go he should be humiliatingly marched out of Number 10 by the police as he had Sonia Khan, political advisor to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for not abiding by his guidelines. The man is a ruthless psychopath who obviously has enough charisma that people believe him and follow him blindly. He wants to build the government on a silicon valley model...and has involved the NHS in a massive data deal...he has power wrapped round him, he is a bully and intimidates and if he is allowed to get away with this then the devil really will take the hindmost. He is an Orwellian nightmare. Everyone do your best to make sure he goes for everyone's sake especially poor and underprivileged.

Just to throw into this mix something I read on a horse racing forum of all places. It was said that DC's son is autistic which must cause difficulties in ensuring he receives appropriate care. It also said that DC's mother is a SEN teacher.

Although I have no direct experience of caring for an autistic child, I understand that routine and familiarity are important to them.

Still in no way excuses his behaviour and the ridiculous way the senior minister, especially BJ, have behaved in trying to justify this behaviour to us.