Keir Starmer: Dominic Cummings broke the rules - it's a simple as that

Let's begin with something Boris Johnson can’t bring himself to say but the rest of us know: Dominic Cummings broke the rules.

It is as simple as that.

His actions were an insult to the millions of people across Britain who have sacrificed so much.

In recent months, families have been forced to make the most agonising of decisions. That’s why, when the revelations about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour broke, people were angry.

It sent a very simple message: It is one rule for them, another rule for everybody else.

I share people’s frustrations, not just because of the actions of one adviser, but because it speaks to a larger issue of leadership and trust.

It has become a national distraction at a moment of national crisis.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the public is angry about the double standard (PA)

The Prime Minister’s unwillingness or inability to do the right thing has left the Government looking untrustworthy and unprincipled.

Worst of all they have undermined the very public health advice that is necessary to keep us all safe, just to keep one powerful aide in his job.

So, I say to the Prime Minister: We cannot go on like this. We cannot lose another week to this farce. We need to get back on track.

That is why I will work constructively with the Government to help us through the next phase of this.

For Labour, that means delivering on the Prime Minister’s promise to increase the amount of testing to at least a quarter of a million a day, recruiting an army of contract tracers and having a nationwide phone app up and running by June 1.

For the British people, it also means providing reassurance.

If you or a family member have symptoms, or you have been told to go into isolation, you want to know as soon as possible whether you have got this awful virus.

Boris Johnson rejects calls for Dominic Cummings to face an inquiry

No one should have to wait longer than is necessary.

That’s why I am calling on the Prime Minister to introduce a “Covid Test Guarantee”.

A double-lock that no one will have to wait more than 24 hours to receive a test and then to receive the results.

This will not only build public confidence in the Government’s approach, but it will also ensure we have a system in place that is putting people’s livelihoods first.

All these things are within the Government’s powers.

After a week when the Prime Minister has taken his eye off the ball, it is now time to focus on the task at hand.

And put the nation’s health first.