Matt Hancock says the Government could review ALL penalty fines issued to families caught travelling ‘for childcare reasons’ during the lockdown after Dominic Cummings journey as vicar demanded answers in daily press conference
- The Health Secretary suggested penalties could be reviewed by the Treasury
- Cummings had justified the March 27 journey on childcare grounds
- Martin the vicar asked if the fines would be reviewed as the rules had changed
Families handed fines for breaking lockdown rules while seeking childcare could have them overturned, Matt Hancock suggested tonight as the Government appeared to be willing to rewrite the law to help Dominic Cummings.
The Health Secretary suggested punitive penalties could be reviewed by the Treasury after Boris Johnson’s chief aide made a 260-mile dash from London to Durham.
Mr Cummings had justified the March 27 journey on the grounds that he was concerned that if he and his wife became ill no one would be able to look after his son.
Mr Hancock tonight was put on the spot by Martin, a vicar from Brighton who asked one of the public questions at the daily Downing Street press conference.
He asked: ‘Will the government review all penalty fines imposed on families travelling for childcare purposes during lockdown?’
The Health Secretary suggested punitive penalties could be reviewed by the Treasury after Boris Johnson’s chief aide made a 260-mile dash from London to Durham
Mr Hancock tonight was put on the spot by Martin, a vicar from Brighton who asked one of the public questions at the daily Downing Street press conference
Hancock replied: ‘That is a very good question and we do understand the impact and the need for making sure that children get adequate childcare.
‘That is one of the significant concerns that we have had all the way through this.
‘So I think especially coming from a man of the cloth I think that is perfectly reasonable to take away that question.
‘I will have to talk to my Treausry colleagues before I can answer it in full and we will look at it and if we can get your details we will make sure that we write to you with a full answer and make an announcement from this podium.
‘I think we can make that commitment.’
Labour blasted the decision with shadow attorney general Lord Falconer tweeting: ‘Government appear to be willing to change direction in what the guidelines mean to save Cummings.
‘Looking after each other not the country.’
And SNP Westminster deputy leader Kirsty Blackman said: ‘The Tory government is blowing all credibility by falsely claiming Dominic Cummings didn’t break the rules – when there is indisputable evidence he did.
‘This is a false information campaign that would make the Kremlin blush.
‘It is designed to gaslight the public into thinking we are too stupid to understand the truth.
‘We’ve all been obeying these rules for months while the Prime Minister’s most senior adviser has openly flouted them – and has shown no contrition whatsoever.
‘Now, staggeringly, the Tory Health Secretary is attempting to rewrite the rules to suit Mr Cummings – it’s farcical and no one is taking the government seriously.
‘This isn’t ”Dom’s Law” – there cannot be one rule for the Tory elite and another for the rest of us.’