More than half of Brits believe Dominic Cummings should resign, a snap poll has found, after he and his family travelled more than 260 miles while he was suffering coronavirus symptoms.
The controversial aide sparked a huge public backlash after it emerged he had journeyed from London to Durham with his wife and four-year-old child.
Government advice clearly states that those who are displaying symptoms should isolate at home to avoid passing the disease on.
A YouGov poll found 52% believe he should quit, while 68% said he had broken the rules.
Cummings himself has denied any wrongdoing, and this evening Transport Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to rewrite the rules in order to defend him.
It sparked a huge public backlash, with #sackcummimgs trending on Twitter.
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NHS doctor Meenal Viz tweeted: "If only our government had acted to protect doctors and nurses as quickly as they have done to protect Dominic Cummings."
And solicitor Kirsty McGuinness - whose husband is a nurse - questioned why Cummings was allowed to act differently to everyone else.
She wrote: "My husband, a nurse, had covid-19 at the start of lockdown. What did he do? Isolated for 7 days. What did I, & our 2 kids, do? Isolated for 14 days. What did we not do? Leave the house. Get in our car. Visit anyone. Visit our parents. Dominic Cummings has to resign."
Labour has called for a full investigation into the incident.
Facing questions from the media at today's daily briefing, Mr Shapps stuttered: "If you're in a position where you've got a young child and you're worried about the welfare of that child then clearly being somewhere where other members of the family can assist, then that may be the best place for you."
He said that Cummings has the Prime Minister's "full support", and added: "Mr Cummings is in the public eye but the reality is that the four-year-old child's welfare is the important thing."
Mr Shapps said it's for an individual to make a decision on how best to practice lockdown measures - which has not been the message up to now.
Shadow minister for the Cabinet Office Rachel Reeves wrote in a letter to Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill: "The British people have made important and painful sacrifices to support the national effort, including being away from family in times of need.
"It is therefore vital that the Government can reassure the public that its most senior figures have been adhering to the same rules as everyone else.
"The British people do not expect there to be one rule for them and another rule for the Prime Minister’s most senior adviser."
A Number 10 spokesman said today: "Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.
"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed.
"His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside."
Durham Police said officers spoke to the family - although Cummings has denied this.
Cummings himself told reporters outside his home: "I behaved reasonably and legally."
When a reporter suggested that the trip to Durham did not look good, he replied: "Who cares about good looks?
"It's a question of doing the right thing. It's not about what you guys think."
