Dominic Cummings says 'I do not regret what I did' and refuses to apologise for breaking lockdown rules

Cummings has come under fire after the Mirror and the Guardian revealed that he had traveled 260 miles to Durham from London during lockdown with his wife and four-year-old son

Dominic Cummings has said he does not regret making a 260 mile trip to Durham during the lockdown with his family - and has not apologised.

The Downing Street aide said his actions were "reasonable" during an unprecedented address this afternoon.

Speaking at a grilling in the garden at Downing Street, he said: "I don't think there's one rule for other people, as I said I knew what the guidance was, it talks about exceptional circumstances with small children and I believe I behaved reasonably and legally."

Cummings has come under fire after the Mirror and the Guardian revealed that he had traveled 260 miles to Durham from London during lockdown with his wife and four-year-old son.

He dismissed claims that he had done anything wrong - prompting a huge public backlash with critics saying there was one rule for the powerful and another for everyone else.

Doctors, scientists, police officers, bishops and politicians are among those calling for "arrogant" Cummings to quit.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended his most powerful aide, who helped him to power, saying yesterday that he had acted "responsibly and legally and with integrity".

After "extensive" face-to-face talks, the PM last night made a desperate attempt to save the Brexiteer svengali - who led the Vote Leave campaign and coined the phrase "take back control".

But Stephen Reicher, a scientific advisor to the government, warned people would stop following advice because "government is looking after themselves in a way they’re not looking after us".

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Prof Reicher added: “If adherence falls, the infection will rise and people will die.”

The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, also weighed in, saying: "Most who have worked so hard to abide by the rules and guidance of the past weeks will feel hurt, angry, & let down.

"Trust has been broken. For the nation’s sake rebuild it quickly."