If you’re not British and you don’t follow UK politics you’d be excused if you aren’t familiar with Dominic Cummings and are perplexed by why he’s hit headlines.
Here are four important points to carry you through your next Zoom drinks or restriction-friendly dinner party if someone mentions his name, his parents’ property and his eyesight.
He is a powerful political player
Dominic Cummings is a chief advisor to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. That means he is Johnson’s right hand man and his influence over Johnson’s decision making can’t be understated.
Cummings entered politics as a campaign director in 1999 and has been a conservative political strategist and advisor ever since.
He is perhaps best known for being the campaign director of the ‘Vote Leave’ campaign and a mastermind in the 2016 referendum for the UK to leave the European Union (Brexit). He is considered responsible for slogans like “take back control.” Fun fact: Benedict Cumberbatch played him in a TV movie about Brexit, Channel 4's Brexit: The Uncivil War.
Benedict Cumberbatch playing Dominic Cummings in a TV movie about Brexit. Source: Channel 4's Brexit: The Uncivil War
He is Boris Johnson’s right hand man
In July last year, Cummings was appointed Johnson’s senior advisor and pushed for the Prime Minister to call for an election in December.
Mr Cummings even postponed elective surgery to take on the job. Although the election was considered risky, Johnson and his party not only regained power but won by a landslide.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his political advisor Dominic Cummings leave 10 Downing Street. Source: Getty Images Europe
How did he break the rules
At the weekend, there has been widespread speculation at the movements of Dominic Cummings during strict coronavirus restrictions.
- On March 23, the Johnson Government ordered a nationwide lockdown. Brits were told not to leave their homes, with guidelines only allowing people to shop for basic necessities and to exercise once a day.
- On March 27 to 28 Cummings, his wife and child drove to his parents’ home 400km north of London.
- On March 31, police were told he was in the area.
- On April 12, Cummings was seen with his family in Barnard Castle, 50km away from his parents’ property.
- On April 20, Cummings was spotted in London.
During this time, the UK was dealing with a mounting coronavirus death-toll, and enormous social and economic costs caused by restrictions. On April 10, two days before his trip to Barnard Castle, the UK recorded its worst fatality day with 980 dead in hospitals.
Cummings has admitted to travelling to his parents’ home and to Barnard Castle during restrictions. He said that he was worried that if he and his wife fell ill, his son would need to be cared for by other family members.
On the trip to Barnard Castle, Cummings said he was testing his eye-sight to ensure the virus had not affected his vision and that it would be safe for him to drive back to London.
Boris Johnson's Special Advisor, Dominic Cummings returns to his home in London Source: AAP
Boris backing and refusing to apologise
Cummings is well known for his brazen attitude, and was so even before news broke that he flouted restrictions. His refusal to apologise and his excuses have drawn widespread criticism from all sides of politics.
There have been demonstrations outside his home, as well as calls for his resignation.
Boris Johnson publicly backed his senior advisor. The PM said people should ‘make up their own minds’ on Dominic Cummings.
