Calls have been made for Hertsmere MP and Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, to distance himself from the senior government adviser, Dominic Cummings, who has been caught breaching lock down rules by travelling from London to Durham with his Covid-19 infected family.

Dowden Tweeted “Dom Cummings followed the guidelines and looked after his family. End of story.”   28,000 people responded to the Tweet and resident James Whatley summed up the despair by saying “I’m ashamed you’re my MP. You should be ashamed for hitting send on that Tweet.”

Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, told us that she was horrified that people couldn’t visit dying friends and relatives, attend their funerals, visit elderly parents or see grandchildren whilst the architect of government’s response believed he was above the law.

Potters Bar councillor, Chris Myers, Tweeted “No Oliver, no he absolutely didn’t and you know it. We don’t see eye to eye on very much, but I at least thought you were more honest than this. You should distance yourself from these lies. The #Hertsmere residents we both represent, deserve better. #dominiccummimgs.”

Even J K Rowling weighed in saying  “I know ending stories and this ain’t it, chief.” whilst Deborah Meaden replied “Not sure you choose when it’s the end of the story…. I think that is very much up to the people.”

Hertsmere Labour Chair, Ann Harrison, commented “Oliver Dowden is defending the indefensible. At the end of March the rules stated that if you or someone in your house has signs of coronavirus you should stay at home. Dominic Cummings broke this rule. What part of this does Oliver Dowden not understand ?”

Let us know what you think. Should Oliver Dowden distance himself from Dominic Cummings for breaking the lock down? Vote here: