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Day 70: Key points from today's conference

Posted on May 2020 By Aaron Liffen

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Today's government coronavirus conference was led by  the PM himself, Boris Johnson on a day where chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, is facing calls to resign over claims he broke lockdown rules to visit family.

Key points to take away from today's speech are:

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given the daily death figures, announcing a further 118 deaths across the UK. It takes the total to 36,793.

  • Johnson ”We’ve been asking you to make sacrifices while some have been flouting those rules. In travelling to find the right childcare when he and his wife had CV I think he followed the instincts of every father and I do not mark him down for that”

  • PM says he thinks Cummings “has acted legally, responsibly and with integrity”

  • Boris Johnson says has had 'extensive face-to-face conversations' with Dominic Cummings and believes he acted responsibly, legally and with integrity. "I think he followed the instincts of every father and every parent," says Boris Johnson as he defends Mr Cummings.

  • PM announces some schools will re-open on June 1. June 15 secondary schools to provide some content for Yr 10 and Yr 12. However it may not be possible for all schools to reopen on 1 June.

  • Boris Johnson says good progress is being made but this is provisional and stressed the need to keep down the transmission rate.

  • The PM argues the guidance makes clear that childcare needs have to be taken into account, in regards to the Cummings saga.

  • When asked why Mr Cummings needed to travel to Durham when he has now said that his family did not care for his son, Mr Johnson said: "The guidance makes it very clear that where you have particular childcare needs that has got to be taken into account."

To read a brief summary of last night's points and important measures click here.