Home   Tunbridge Wells   News   Article

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark breaks silence over Dominic Cummings row

An MP has broken his silence over the action of Dominic Cummings, claiming the PM's senior advisor made a misjudgement and should have made a "sincere apology".

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, however, said he was not convinced Mr Cummings' resignation was best for the country during this national emergency.

MP Greg Clark has broken his silence over the actions of Dominic Cummings
MP Greg Clark has broken his silence over the actions of Dominic Cummings

Since early last week, Mr Clark had been asked to make his stance on the Cummings row clear.

The political strategist admitted travelling to Durham with his family, to be with his parents, arguing it was for childcare reasons when quizzed on whether he had breached lockdown rules.

More than 40 Conservative MPs, including Kent members, called for Mr Cummings' resignation following the revelation, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stood by his advisor.

In a letter sent on Friday, the former business secretary said 'many constituents' had contacted him about the issue and he acknowledged the "great personal sacrifices" made during lockdown.

He went on: "I completely understand the dismay that a Number 10 adviser exercised his own judgement in interpreting the rules in a way that others didn’t think was open to them.

Dominic Cummings speaking from Downing Street during a press conference to explain his trip to Durham Picture: BBC
Dominic Cummings speaking from Downing Street during a press conference to explain his trip to Durham Picture: BBC

"Let me be clear that I think Mr Cummings made a misjudgement, and I believe that at the outset he should have made a sincere apology and that the Prime Minister should have accepted it, acknowledging publicly that a mistake has been made.

"We are all human, people can make errors of judgement under stress, and I’m sure the family were genuinely worried about their situation.

"I remember the anxieties as a young parent when my children were infants if we fell sick when we were hundreds of miles away from any other family members.

"However, it was a misjudgement. Dominic Cummings badly underestimated the strong sense of solidarity we have all have with each other, that has been so striking during this crisis, and the pain of people who have had to endure heartbreaking separation from their own loved ones, sometimes at the end of their lives.

'Dominic Cummings badly underestimated the strong sense of solidarity we all have with each other...'

"It is essential that all the attention of the government must be concentrated on the complex and difficult decisions to be taken during the days and weeks ahead, and Mr Cummings has caused a serious diversion from that.

"The most important thing in this national emergency is that the right steps are taken to save lives, to care for people’s needs and to give people hope for the future.

"I’m not convinced that the upheaval resulting from a resignation of the Prime Minister’s most senior adviser would be consistent with that.

Mr Clark said he would tell the Mr Johnson about the "depth of offence" caused.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More