Durham Police confirm they spoke to Dominic Cummings' dad on April 1

Durham Police have issued a new statement about apparent lockdown breaches by the prime minister’s top aide, which contradicts Downing Street’s account.

It comes after days of controversy surrounding Dominic Cummings, who is accused of flouting the government’s ‘stay at home advice’, and calls from all sides for him to resign.

The force had previously said it had explained self isolation advice to the family, but that position now appears to have changed.

Following a different statement earlier this weekend, the force updated its position this afternoon to say: ‘We can confirm that on April 1, an officer from Durham Constabulary spoke to the father of Dominic Cummings. Mr Cummings confirmed that his son, his son’s wife and child were present at the property. He told the officer that his son and son’s wife were displaying symptoms of coronavirus and were self-isolating in part of the property.’

Downing Street said on Saturday that police did not speak to the family – but Durham Police are maintaining that is not the case.

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But the force continued: ‘We can further confirm that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard.

‘Our officer did, however, provide the family with advice on security issues.’

The force have today been asked to investigate Mr Cummings by a police chief.

It comes as Mr Cummings delivered a highly unusual statement to reporters in the Downing Street Rose Garden, outlining his side of the story and refusing to stand down. He admitted driving 60 miles to ‘test his eyesight’ and that he did not stay at home despite government advice.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary had said on Friday: ‘Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house.

‘In line with national policing guidance, officers explained to the family the guidelines around self-isolation and reiterated the appropriate advice around essential travel’.

Yesterday, police officers showed up at Mr Cummings’ house in London, but no one was at home.

More than 500,000 have signed a petition calling for Mr Cummings to be sacked.

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