DURHAM POLICE have tonight been asked to investigate reports of sightings of Dominic Cummings across the county in April and May, citing "public interest" in the matter.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Durham County Council said: "We are aware that a number of local residents have reported seeing Mr Cummings in the city and county of Durham on a number of occasions during April and May and have expressed concern about the public health implications of his presence given reports that he has been affected by the coronavirus.

"Given the clear public interest in this case I have today referred this matter to the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary to ask her force to investigate whether Mr Cummings may have committed an offence under the provisions of section 15 of the 2020 Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations."

The letter, to chief constable Jo Farrell and copied to police, crime, and victims commissioner Steve White, reads: 

"I am writing to you in connection with widespread media reports that Mr Dominic Cummings and members of his immediate family travelled from London to an address at Durham and appear to have made a number of visits to other locations in County Durham during April and May 2020 whilst apparently afflicted by the coronavirus, contrary to public health regulations introduced under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.

"In doing so, it appears possible that he may have presented an appreciable risk of transmission of the coronavirus to members of the public by failing to maintain isolation and visiting public areas including locations in the City of Durham and Barnard Castle.

I am sure you will recognise that there is significant public interest in this case, and a legitimate concern that public health in the county may have been jeopardised by the actions of Mr Cummings."