MATT Hancock has hinted that the UK Government will review fines issued to people who broke lockdown rules to obtain childcare in the aftermath of the Dominic Cummings scandal.
The Health Secretary, who says he like the Prime Minister supports Cummings and believes he acted within the guidelines, made the suggestion while responding to a question from Martin in Brighton.
However, Downing Street sources quickly backtracked on the comments, saying Hancock had not announced a review of lockdown fines.
It came as the most senior Tories continued to defend the PM’s adviser, despite mounting calls for the controversial adviser to resign or be sacked over his 250-mile trip to Durham while sick with Covid-19.
READ MORE: Dominic Cummings: The Tory MPs and MSPs calling for him to resign
At today’s briefing, Martin asked: "Will the Government review all penalty fines imposed on families travelling for childcare purposes during lockdown?"
Hancock responded: "It's a very good question. And we do understand the impact and the need for making sure that children get adequate childcare. That is one of the significant concerns we've had all the way through this.
"And so I think, especially coming from a man of the cloth, that is a perfectly reasonable to take away that question. I'll have to talk to my Treasury colleagues before I can answer it in full. We'll look at it.
"If we can get your details, we’ll make sure we write to you with a full answer and make an announcement from this podium. I think we can make that commitment.”
However, government sources told the BBC that the Health Secretary had not sanctioned a review.
Govt source says Hancock did not announce a review of fines of people in lockdown - just meant that he would pass concern raised by Martin the vicar on to his colleagues - 2020 everyone
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) May 26, 2020
Today more than 40 MPs have called for Cummings to go, while Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross’s resignation over the matter prompted Scottish Tories to join the calls too.
Over the weekend they laid low and avoided addressing the matter, but as the row continued for a fifth day a number of Jackson Carlaw’s MSPs spoke out.
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