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Two police officers have been seen knocking the front door of Dominic Cummings‘ home in north London.
The officers were pictured outside the top aide’s address in Islington at about 3.15pm on Sunday afternoon.
No explanation for why there were there has been given but the Standard has approached the Met for comment.
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.
Durham Police confirmed they had spoken to Mr Cummings’ father while he was there, despite Downing Street claiming they did not on Saturday.
Fresh allegations surfaced of Mr Cummings reportedly making a second trip to Durham, which he denies.
Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister will lead this afternoon’s press briefing, which has been delayed until 5pm.
It follows a growing Tory rebellion on Sunday that has seen eight Conservative MPs break ranks and demand the advisor quits.
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”.
Number 10 added in a statement on Saturday: “At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.
But confirming they did speak to Mr Cummings’ family, a Durham Police spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, March 31, our officers were made aware that Dominic Cummings had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.
“At the request of Mr Cummings’ father, an officer made contact the following morning by telephone.
“During that conversation, Mr Cummings’ father confirmed that his son had travelled with his family from London to the North-East and was self-isolating in part of the property.
“Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required. However, the officer did provide advice in relation to security issues.”
Steve White, Durham police and crime commissioner, hit out at Mr Cummings’ “most unwise” actions and said his force had “acted appropriately”.
He said: “Given the whole ethos of the guidance and regulations issued from the Government was to reduce the spread [of the virus], regardless of reason, by travelling to County Durham when known to be infected was most unwise.”
