Furious Durham residents say it's a 'farce' Dominic Cummings hasn't been sacked

Furious Durham residents have called for Dominic Cummings to be sacked after the Prime Minister's senior aide travelled to the northeastern city during lockdown.

Boris Johnson has backed his advisor - who played a key role in the PM's landslide election victory in December - with Downing Street stating the trip was made for childcare reasons.

Mr Cummings drove 260 miles with his wife and children to his parents' home while both he and his wife suffered from coronavirus symptoms.

Both he and and the government have insisted he acted "reasonably and legally" by staying at his family property in Durham during his 14-day self-isolation period.

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Boris Johnson gave his "full support" to Cummings as Conservative MPs joined the calls for him to resign on Sunday.

But now Durham residents are urging the Prime Minister to dismiss his chief aide, describing the situation as a "farce", reports the Chronicle Live.

Juliet Percival said: "We've all got elderly relatives we're not allowed to visit, parents with 80th birthdays, golden wedding anniversaries.

"I haven't seen my parents since the beginning of March as my dad is vulnerable. It is a joke. Boris should sack him."

Ian Walker added: "It's absolutely shocking. You're telling people to do one thing then you're blatantly going and doing another. You've got to practice what you preach.

"There are people who have been sacked for doing similar things in other parts of the nation. He can't keep his job and then people carry on to take him seriously.

"Boris should get rid of him."

Cummings was first spotted outside his parents’ property by a neighbour on April 5.

He was then spotted walking by the River Tees near Barnard Castle on April 12 by retired teacher Robin Lees - 30 miles away from his parents' home.

Reports also say that an unnamed source saw Mr Cummings walking with his wife in Houghall Woods on April 19.

He was seen in London the next day.

The Sunday Mirror then reported how the Prime Minister's top aide was spotted a second time by eyewitnesses in the area.

Mr Cummings has denied making a second trip to the area, with a No10 spokesman describing the reports as "inaccurate".

But residents in County Durham have labelled the situation a "joke" and feel it is time for Mr Cummings to be sacked.

Durham resident Pamela Wood said: "I think it is unacceptable. The rules are made and we're all being very stringent in keeping to them and he feels he can flaunt them. I think it sends out a bad message and he should resign."

Sarah Hunnings added: "I'm shocked and upset. When everybody's trying to do what we're told to do but there is still this slight uncertainty as to what the rules actually mean and that makes it difficult for people.

"You're told you can go wherever you like but you're also told to stay at home.

"Our daughter missed her 18th birthday [celebrations] and didn't get to see anybody so it is tough and then he makes that trip with coronavirus with his family which just seems very strange."

Student Tim Callow said: "I'd always say it's important to look after your children but this situation doesn't look great.

"I think he has to resign or be dismissed. I don't see how his position is still tenable. I think it's a joke."