DOMINIC Cummings is Boris Johnson's senior adviser who was recently called out for travelling 260 miles from London to Durham amid the coronavirus lockdown.
The aide claimed he was staying with his parents for help with childcare. So who are his parents and have they said anything to defend their son?
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Who are Dominic Cumming's parents?
Robert Cummings worked as an oil rig project manager and built oil rigs for construction firm, Laing.
He also ran a canoe paddle factory and now works on the family farm.
His mother, Morag, worked as a special needs teacher and a behavioural specialist.
The couple, now in their seventies, live on the family farm in Durham.
Sir John Grant McKenzie Laws, a former Lord Justice of Appeal, was also Dominic Cummings' uncle.
What did he do?
Cummings has been accused of being in breach of the coronavirus rules, by making non essential travel and leaving his London home.
He and his wife, journalist Mary Wakefield, reportedly stayed at his parents' home in Durham while self-isolating.
It is a 260 mile trip between the homes.
However, the couple have said they needed childcare help and said they stayed in a separate building at the property.
In an official statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister has given his backing to the aide.
A No10 spokesperson said: "Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.
"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed.
"His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside.
"His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines.
"Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally."
The revelation comes despite No10 telling Brits they must stay at home and not see family to slow the spread of Covid.
The move allegedly went against advice, which became law on March 26, which stated: “You should not be visiting family members who do not live in your home.”
Only in exceptional circumstances were people allowed to attend relatives' addresses; for example, to drop off food or medicine to their door.
Tory MPs are said to be privately angry, but a close friend of Dominic Cummings said: "He isn't remotely bothered by this story…
"…There is zero chance of him resigning."
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey today called for Mr Cummings to explain himself – or resign.
He said: "If Dominic Cummings has broken the lockdown guidelines, he will have to resign. It's as simple as that."
Who is Dominic Cummings?
Dominic Cummings was seen as the mastermind of the Brexit campaign.
He is a political adviser and strategist, and served as the Campaign Director of Vote Leave.
Cummings is a former special adviser to Michael Gove – under Boris Johnson, he worked as the PM's senior adviser.
Born in Durham, he attended Durham School and Exeter College, Oxford, graduating in 1994 with a First in Ancient and Modern History.
In 2011, he married Mary Wakefield, deputy editor of The Spectator.
Cummings became Campaign Director of Vote Leave upon the creation of the organisation in October 2015.
He is credited with having created the official slogan of Vote Leave, "Take back control" and with being the leading strategist of the campaign.
Cummings was questioned and criticised by MPs at the Treasury Select Committee in April 2016 for creating misleading leaflets for the Leave campaign.
His campaign strategy was summarised as: "Don’t talk about immigration"; "Do talk about business"; "Don’t make the referendum final"; "Do keep mentioning the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the over-reach of the European Union’s Court of Justice".
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