Police turn up at Dominic Cummings' London home amid backlash over 'lockdown breaches'
Two police officers have been seen knocking on the front door of Dominic Cummings' home in north London.
The officers were pictured outside the top aide's address in Islington on Sunday afternoon.
The townhouse has been a hive of media attention all day as Boris Johnson faces mounting pressure to sack Mr Cummings over his alleged breach of lockdown rules with a 260-mile trip to County Durham.
The Met confirmed it was called to an address in Islington following reports of a crowd of people outside.
A Scotland Yard spokesman told the Standard: “Police were called to an address in Islington at 2.49pm on Sunday, May 24. It was reported that a large crowd of people were outside the address.
“Officers attended the location. The call was not treated as an emergency. The officers knocked on the door of the property. There was no reply.
“Media present were reminded of social distancing guidance. A number of members of the public were asked to move on, without issue.
“No other action was taken by police. The caller was advised that police had attended the location.”
The force would not confirm who had called the police.
Earlier, activists Led By Donkeys arrived at the street with a billboard that played clips of the PM urging Brits to follow lockdown rules.
Fresh allegations surfaced on Saturday night of Mr Cummings reportedly making a second trip to Durham, which he denies.
The Prime Minister stood by Mr Cummings at this afternoon's press briefing, insisting "he acted with integrity".
It follows a growing Tory rebellion on Sunday that has seen eight Conservative MPs break ranks and demand the advisor quits, with prominent 1922 Committee member Steve Baker saying he "must go" and "no one is indispensable".
The PM pledged his “full support” on Saturday to his under-fire chief adviser, who it emerged had travelled 260 miles to the North East in March to self-isolate with his family while official guidelines warned against long-distance journeys.
According to reports in the Observer and Sunday Mirror, the former Vote Leave campaign co-ordinator made a second trip to Durham and was seen there on April 19 – five days after being photographed on his return to Westminster.
A second witness told the papers they saw him a week earlier in Barnard Castle on Easter Sunday, a popular tourist location 30 miles from Durham, during the period he was believed to be self-isolating.
Downing Street has defended Mr Cummings' actions, insisting he "acted in line with guidelines".
Ex-Durham Police chief constable Mike Barton launched a scathing attack on Mr Cummings on Sunday and insisted he "broke the rules".
He told the BBC: "I was really quite surprised to learn that somebody who has made the rules that are very clear that if you’re suffering from coronavirus, you have to stay at home, you’re in lockdown, you do not leave your home under any circumstances.
"Not only did they do that and travel 260 miles, but also have then tried to justify it and evade their responsibility through the use of weasel words. I find it quite shocking really."
But confirming they did speak to Mr Cummings' family, a Durham Police spokesperson said "an officer made contact" with Mr Cummings' father by phone after officers "were made aware" the top aide was in the city.
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