TWO local MPs have voiced differing views on the Dominic Cummings row following his press conference this afternoon (Monday).

York Central MP Rachael Maskell says says it is "astounding" that the Prime Minister's senior advisor did not offer his resignation after his trip to the North East during lockdown, and claims his position is "untenable." Meanwhile, Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, has tweeted: "Detailed and fair explanation of events, in my view, time to move on."

Mr Cummings has sought to defend his decision to drive to County Durham despite the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, saying he believes he behaved "reasonably" and does not regret his actions.

In a highly unusual press conference in the rose garden of 10 Downing Street, Mr Cummings said he made the journey because of fears over a lack of childcare if he became incapacitated with Covid-19, but also concerns about his family's safety.

Ms Maskell has responded to the press conference by saying: "I found it astounding that Mr Cummings did not offer his resignation, and therefore I think that the Prime Minister must act. His position is untenable."

York Press:

She added: "We are in the midst of a global health crisis, where we need a Government who can provide clear, unequivocal, evidence-based advice to keep the nation as safe as possible from the risk of infection.

“Mr Cummings, in setting out his reasons for his actions misjudged the public reaction by saying that he exercised his judgement in how he interpreted the rules, indicating that he had the right to do this, when others did not. He stated that he 'did not regret what he did,' causing a further insult to those who followed the instructions of the Government, many of whom could not visit very sick family members; some never had the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones. It was striking that he did not offer an apology."

Ms Maskell said that Mr Cummings has clearly not understood the pain he has caused so many by the actions that he has taken, and while everyone is trying to deal with very challenging circumstances, "it would appear that there was one rule for him, and one for everyone else."

She said it is time the Prime Minister "got off the fence" and set out why he can defend Mr Cummings remaining in post.

Mr Cummings said stories suggested he had opposed lockdown and "did not care about many deaths", but he told reporters: "The truth is that I had argued for lockdown.

"I did not oppose it, but these stories had created a very bad atmosphere around my home, I was subjected to threats of violence, people came to my house shouting threats, there were posts on social media encouraging attacks."

Mr Cummings said he was worried that "this situation would get worse", and "I was worried about the possibility of leaving my wife and child at home all day and often into the night while I worked in Number 10."

"I thought the best thing to do in all the circumstances was to drive to an isolated cottage on my father's farm," he added.

The defence of his actions comes amid furious calls for him to resign or be sacked by Mr Johnson for travelling to County Durham in March to self-isolate with his family after his wife developed coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Cummings denied further reports which suggested he took a second trip to the North East on April 14.

He conceded that "reasonable people may well disagree about how I thought about what to do in the circumstances", but said: "I don't regret what I did."

He added: "I think what I did was actually reasonable in these circumstances. The rules made clear that if you are dealing with small children that can be exceptional circumstances.

"And I think that the situation that I was in was exceptional circumstances and the way that I dealt with it was the least risk to everybody concerned if my wife and I had both been unable to look after our four-year-old."

Mr Cummings also said:

- He has not considered resigning, and did not offer to do so.

- He did not ask the Prime Minister about his decision and admitted that "arguably this was a mistake".

- He drove up to Durham with his wife and son and did not stop on the way, and the next day woke up in pain and "clearly had Covid symptoms".

- The Prime Minister had asked him to publicly give his account and he acknowledged he should have spoken earlier.

- He could see why people basing their opinions on media reports of his actions could be furious.