Dominic Cummings: Time for the media to move on – Yorkshire Post Letters

ISN’T it about time the media moved on from Dominic Cummings so that the Government can get on with the real work of solving the present crisis?

The man has been a fool maybe, but there are at least two aspects of this with which the media might consider.

Firstly, if they are really concerned with obeying the rules, they should start with the appalling behaviour of their reporters and cameramen who clearly breach the two-metre rule. This probably has more effect in spreading the virus than driving up and down the A1 for a week.

The second area which merits investigation concerns the companies which offered their services to the Government in the manufacture of PPE for example. There have been many reports that these offers were met with silence. Obviously the Minister carries the can, but in practice it is the executive arm which actually does the work and has been found wanting.

From: Alan Machin, Bessacarr.

I AM appalled at the behaviour of our mainstream media who are attempting to have Dominic Cummings relieved of his post.

If he has broken the law, he should be dealt with by our judicial system, not accused, judged and condemned by the biased mainstream media.

If he is guilty of any unjustifiable breach, it is up to his employer as to whether any disciplinary action is appropriate. I was surprised to hear Sir Keir Starmer, a qualified lawyer, declaring he would have sacked Mr Cummings. I would have thought his so-called forensic mind would have worked out that this could lead to a justifiable claim for unfair dismissal.

This case reminds me of the time in 2008 when Ed Balls in effect sacked Sharon Shoesmith, Head of Child Services at Haringey Council, on television. This resulted in her receiving £679,452 for unfair dismissal. The incompetent Balls declared he had no regrets. It’s a pity he did not have to personally pay for his mistake.

From: Ron Firth, Campsall.

LIKE many people, I am disappointed that at such a critical time in the country’s battle with Covid-19, the media, in general and BBC in particular, are determined to divert the nation’s attention simply because of the political angle.

The one big mistake that Dominic Cummings made was in not advising the PM of his intentions beforehand.

Unless the police decide to prosecute Mr Cummings, the media should concentrate on supporting the Government’s plans to rescue the country, with constructive, balanced criticism where necessary.

From: William Rees, Boroughbridge.

YOUR Editorial (The Yorkshire Post, May 26) carried the headline ‘The arrogance of Cummings’, and you criticised him for not apologising for his actions in making his now infamous trip to Durham.

But in the Downing Street garden, Mr Cummings explained that he had been motivated by putting the health and well-being of his four-year-old son first and that he believed that the regulations allowed him to make the journey to the North-East.

He gave the rationale for having made this decision in a painstaking and detailed way, and he fielded questions from the media. You have the right to disagree with him, but he was courteous, patient and forthcoming with the media. In my book, that is not the definition of arrogance.

From: John Riseley, Harcourt Drive, Harrogate.

THOSE taking unnecessary risks may now say they are simply following an example which has been set. It is said that lockdown has highlighted our British characteristics, and for many these do seem to include self-righteousness. Some love to ‘follow the rules’ (as far as it suits them) and to moan about those they see as not doing so.

It concerns me that those who view our situation as an exercise in rule-following without an understanding of the underlying principles will struggle to make reasonable judgements as lockdown is lifted.

From: Mary and Sam Wright, Harrogate.

WE do not normally send letters to newspapers, but we do have to agree with your correspondents Bob Watson and Peter Green about the negativity and criticism by reporters trying to make headlines.

Our Government needs helpful suggestions and support, not hindsight negativity and aggressive questioning.

This should be front page information, and not just in a letter inside the newspaper, in order to encourage the population and not to continually cause fear and anxiety.

Many people do not listen to the news because of the negative criticism whereas positive suggestions would/could be useful to many people.

From: Penny Ponders, Ingliston Road, Edinburgh.

GIVEN that daily Covid-19 new case and mortality rates have been in decline since April, not just here but throughout Western Europe including, crucially, no-lockdown Sweden, one of two inferences must be made. Either this disease is seasonal like various other respiratory infections, and/or we are getting close to herd immunity. In either case, why are we continuing with the economy-wrecking lockdown?

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson