Rebellion brews over Boris aide's lockdown breach

AS many as 39 MPs from within British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s own Conservative Party are in a rebellion mode on Wednesday, demanding the removal of the premier’s top aide, Dominic Cummings, as the row surrounding his 400-kilometre drive at the height of the coronavirus stay-at-home lockdown refuses to die down.

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Several Cabinet ministers are also believed to be of the view that Cummings, Downing Street’s Chief Strategy Advisor, did breach the spirit of the rules and must step down in the wake of junior Scotland minister Douglas Ross’ resignation from the government over the issue on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a fullfledged police investigation is underway to establish any legal breaches of the guidelines. Public opinion is also seen to be hardening against the senior adviser since he addressed a rare press conference in Downing Street earlier this week, with a new survey slashing the Johnson-led Tory party’s lead over the Opposition Labour Party by nine points.