As an MP who places great value on being out and about, gauging constituents’ opinion, lockdown has been a challenge. Not so, however, on the matter of the Prime Minister’s advisor Dominic Cummings about whom hundreds of constituents have shared their views. Words like “narcissistic”, “cheating” and “arrogant” are commonplace. But don’t take my word for the anger his actions and attitude have caused, take the words of one of my constituents caught up the personal and family tragedy which is Covid-19.

Dominic Cummings’ “actions have made a mockery of the very real suffering and sacrifice of British people who followed the “rules” in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

The hypocrisy of there being a set of rules for those in power and another for the rest of us has completely destroyed the spirit of lockdown and put us all at further risk from a virus not yet under control”.

I couldn’t have put it better myself which is why, with her permission, I quote the words of my constituent.

This week is English Tourism Week. English Tourism is worth over £100 billion and provides 2.6 million jobs. Normally visitors would be urged to come to our regenerated coast and even to places like Barnard Castle and thanks to everyone, by the way, for showing the beauty of our region virtually. But, on Government advice, we are not able to do so yet and until then, whatever the provocations of the Cummings affair, I hope people will continue to place reason and the rules above their “instinct”.