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Overview

CumGate (also referred to as DurhamGate and CummingsGate) is a controversy surrounding Dominic Cummings, the senior political advisor to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson, who breached the United Kingdom's lockdown advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

On May 23rd, 2020, reports had suggested that Dominic Cummings had traveled to Durham, his hometown, with his wife on two occasions, effectively ignoring his own lockdown advice given through the UK Government.^[1] According to the New York Times, "reports that Mr. Cummings had driven to his parents' house in Durham in April when the government was urging people to stay home -- particularly those with symptoms of the virus -- set off a political tempest, with critics accusing him of flouting the rules that apply to everybody else." The Times goes on to report that the trip was a "260-mile drive."

Developments

Online Reaction

In response to the news, "Dominic Cummings", "CummingsGoing", "Cummings" and "Dominic Goings" began trending on Twitter throughout the United Kingdom.

Politicians, celebrities, journalists and notable figures called on Dominic Cummings to resign. BBC political editor Laura Kuennsberg was criticized for defending Dominic Cummings after she retweeted and liked tweets from politicians and notable figures who supported Dominic Cummings.^[2]

Government Response

The Prime Minister and the UK Government stated that Dominic Cummings met the guidelines set out and that he did not breach any guidelines.

First official ⁦@10DowningStreet⁩ statement on Dominic Cummings : 'mr Cummings Believes he acted responsibly and legally' pic.twitter.com/36qpChKdXf

— iain watson (@iainjwatson) May 23, 2020

Several Conservative MPs called on Dominic Cummings to resign. The SNP and Liberal Democrats also called on him to resign as well.^[2]

In Scotland, the Scottish Conservatives were criticized for their lack of response to the controversy despite the fact that they were vocal when the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Catherine Calderwood did similarly. "Scottish Tories", "Jackson Carlaw" and "Ruth Davidson" all trended in Scotland along with "Cummingsgate."

Boris Johnson's Press Briefing

On May 24th, 2020, Boris Johnson held a briefing in the government's response to coronavirus. The majority of the questions afterward focused on Dominic Cumming's actions, and the Prime Minister was asked if he would resign or be dismissed.

Boris Johnson defended Dominic Cummings and indirectly noted that he would carry on his duties (shown below).

After the briefing, Dominic Cummings arrived home and was met with protests (see below).

I don’t think the people like ⁦@BorisJohnson⁩’s decision. pic.twitter.com/1zzFJWHg2e

— LiveInUK-LoveEU (@LiveInUKLoveEU) May 24, 2020

Shortly after the press briefing, an unknown person tweeted on the UK Civil Service Twitter account, stating that the press conference was 'arrogant and offensive'. The tweet received 35,700 likes before being deleted. Journalist Lewis Goodall shared a screenshot of the tweet^[4] with the caption "This has just been tweeted from the UK Civil Service account. This is the craziest political weekend for a long time." The tweet received more than 32,000 likes and 11,000 retweets in less than one week (shown below).

The UK Cabinet Office Twitter account said that the account was compromised and that the tweet was deleted.^[6]

Dominic Cummings Press Conference

On May 25th, 2020, Dominic Cummings held a press conference, detailing his actions and receiving questions from the press (shown below).

The press conference was criticized and mocked by people on social media with memes being created in response to Dominic Cumming's claim that he needed to test his eyesight by driving 30 miles.

Moray MP Douglas Ross, who was Scotland Minister, resigned from his post, which was praised by many.^[3]

Two new polls were released after the press briefing of Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson a few days prior. One of the two polls from Savanta/ComRes showed that Boris Johnson's approval rating dropped to -1, 13 points down from the last approval rating.^[5]

The second poll came from Scotland by Ipsos MORI which showed Boris Johnson's approval rating during the crisis go to a net approval rating of -25%, compared to Scotland's First Minister "Nicola Sturgeon:/memes/people/nicola-sturgeon", who received a net approval rating of 75%.

Emily Maitlis "Newsnight" Controversy

On May 26th, 2020, Emily Maitlis attacked the UK Government in the opening monologue due to their inactions against Dominic Cummings. (see below)

The Emily Maitlis Miracle MK2. These words were brilliant and most definitely needed. This needs to be the new norm.‘He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them. #BBCBreakfast #SkyNews #GMB pic.twitter.com/PagjxAeC31

— Jon Jones (@JonJonesSnr) May 27, 2020

The monologue breached impartiality guidelines, and Emily Maitlis was subsequently replaced. This resulted in a backlash against the BBC through commentators such as Piers Morgan and others.

Shortly afterward, "Sarah Smith" trended on Twitter, this relating to the controversy as Sarah Smith, another BBC journalist, was criticized for attacking the Scottish Government and accusing Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of "enjoying the pandemic" and social media users saying how she could get off with attacking the government whilst Emily Maitlis could not.

Search Interest

External References