Michael Gove says it was “irrelevant” that Dominic Cummings’ drive to Barnard Castle coincided with his wife’s birthday.
Boris Johnson ’s chief aide claims he undertook the 30-minute each way journey to the beauty spot, with his wife and child in the back, to test if he was fit to drive.
Mr Cummings said he had left the car and sat on a bench for around 15 minutes.
“It was also Easter Sunday. Both of those things are irrelevant”, he told Radio 4.
Earlier he told BBC Breakfast: “To my mind I can’t see the relevance of that. He drove to Barnard Castle.
“The family stopped, he walked a few yards, sat on a bench for a short period of time, then walked back to the car and drove back to his home.
“I think the fact that it was, as it also happens Easter Sunday, is immaterial.”
Mr Gove, a long-term ally of Cummings, said he did not break the letter of the government's coronavirus lockdown guidelines and was simply trying to look after his wife and 4-year-old son.
Mr Gove said he only found out that Mr Cummings had travelled to Durham when the story was revealed through the media.
The Cabinet Office minister told BBC Breakfast he had been unaware of Mr Cummings' journey until Friday evening.
He said: "When I read the story I was convinced there would be an explanation from Dominic, because I know he is a man of honour and integrity."
Further defending the senior Government aide, Mr Gove said: "People can then form their own judgment about whether or not what they thought he did was wise. My own view is that it is entirely reasonable.
"The allegation from some was he was heedlessly and recklessly putting other people in danger, I think if we look at the whole story we can see that was not the case."
Mr Cummings’ unprecedented statement in the No10 rose garden yesterday came after more than 20 Tory MPs demanded Mr Cummings resign or be sacked over his 260-mile drive to Durham in late March.
Furious members of the public said there was one rule for them and another for the PM's pals after they were firmly told to stay at home.
