The UK Prime Minister’s top adviser on Monday tried to defuse a national scandal over breaking the country’s coronavirus lockdown rules, giving an extraordinary address from 10 Downing Street.
Dominic Cummings told of driving his wife and young son 420 kilometres from London to Durham, where his parents live.
Mr Cummings said giving the details of his journey would help to clear up the widespread anger over his decision.
But the adviser’s address set social media sites ablaze with further questions about his travels, and questioning by many of Britain’s top political journalists stretched his retelling of the incident to its limits.
Mr Cummings said he had driven nearly 50km from Durham to Barnard Castle, a popular tourist destination, as a test because he was worried he could not see properly after recovering from the virus.
But social media users asked if it was advisable to get behind the wheel at all if you had concerns over your vision, and wondered if Mr Cummings had put his family at risk.
“Driving a car with a child in it if you think you have bad eyes is putting them in danger,” a Twitter user wrote.
Others pointed to the UK’s driving safety guidelines, which require road users to report any concerns or changes to their eyesight to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
“When you take your driving test they normally check your eyesight before you get in the car,” wrote one user.
Many compared Mr Cummings’ performance to that of Britain’s Prince Andrew after questions surrounding his links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The eye-test explanation drew comparison to Prince Andrew’s claim that he was unable to sweat because of his experiences in the Falklands war.
Mr Cummings's wife, the journalist Mary Wakefield, also found herself at the centre of the renewed scrutiny over the lockdown drive.
Twitter users pointed out that Ms Wakefield's birthday corresponded with the visit to Barnard Castle, casting further doubt on Mr Cummings's eye-test claim.
Many were left wondering why Mr Cummings's wife did not contribute to the driving if he was feeling unwell, and asked whether she was able to drive.
Other apparent holes in Mr Cummings’s story were queried, including the possibility of completing the 420km journey from his home in north London to Durham, in England’s far north-east, without stopping for fuel.
When asked whether he had stopped to refill his tank on the journey, which could have risked spreading the virus, he said he might have stopped on the return leg of the journey but couldn’t remember.
One Twitter user said Mr Cummings’s Land Rover Discovery could only achieve 14km a litre, making the long drive without a stop “possible, but unlikely”.
And debate broke out over whether Mr Cummings’s car ran on petrol or more efficient diesel fuel.
In the aftermath of the press conference, it also emerged that Mr Cummings had gone back and edited a post on his blog to make it look like he had warned of the risks of coronaviruses as early as 2019.
In fact, according to one eagle-eyed Twitter user, Mr Cummings's blog post on pandemic risk was updated to include references to Sars and coronavirus between April and May of this year.
With a death toll of more than 36,000, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and the government was already under pressure over its handling of the pandemic.
Mr Johnson said he accepted Mr Cummings’s explanation for the trip, and the adviser said he had not considered resigning.
The prime minister's refusal to fire Mr Cummings has angered many in his own party.
At least 20 Conservative MPs have now called on him to resign or be sacked.
Police in Durham on Monday said they were formally investigating whether Mr Cummings had broken lockdown rules.
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Gallery: Coronavirus around the world
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
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The five pillars of Islam
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
