DURHAM City MP Mary Foy has said she was ‘surprised’ that council tax on Dominic Cummings’ properties built in breach of planning law would not be backdated.

The Prime Minister’s special advisor, who stayed at the cottage on the farm during lockdown. has been told it is now liable for the charge.

But Valuation Office Agency has said it, along with tax on his sister’s family home, will not be backdated.

If it were it could have boosted Durham County Council coffers by up to £50,000.

Dominic Cummings' unpaid council tax bill 'written off'

Ms Foy said: “Not only has it been established that Dominic Cummings and his family were responsible for historic planning breaches on their property at North Lodge, but also that they were liable for unpaid council tax on the properties in question over a number of years.

“These breaches appear to stretch back to 2002, and estimates put the arrears at somewhere between £30,000 and £50,000.

“Despite that, the Cummings family will only have to pay Council Tax on the additional properties from October 4 this year.

“While I understand that it is not possible to pursue the planning regulation breaches, because of the time elapsed, I am surprised that the council tax has not been backdated, be that to the point when the matter first came to light in May of this year or (as many believe it should be) back to 2002.

“I'm sure many of my constituents will be thinking that, once again with regard to Mr Cummings, there seems to be one rule if you're a chief advisor to the Prime Minister and another rule for the rest of us.”

The breaches were exposed after complaints about planning permission were logged with Durham County Council and the council tax situation was investigated by the Valuation Office Agency, which made the ruling.