THE perceived "one rule for them, one rule for us" approach of this Government to the pandemic reached a new low today.

Dominic Cummings' Barnard Castle eye test caused irreversible damage to public confidence.

But despite yesterday's embarrassing u-turn, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak's attempts to avoid self isolation when one per cent of the country is doing just that was another terrible judgement when people are already questioning the haste to lift restrictions.

The damage may already be done. How many people deleted the Track and Trace app this morning? How many people gave up self-isolation to enjoy the sunshine?

There is certainly some irony to it all that, on the Prime Minister's so called Freedom Day, the three most senior Government ministers can't leave their own homes.

The PM wanted July 19 to be a celebration of the return to normal life. Instead he has once again found himself on the wrong side of public opinion and perhaps more out of touch than at any other stage of the pandemic.