COPELAND’S MP has backed controversial Government Svengali figure Dominic Cummings in his decision not to quit.

Trudy Harrison said that Mr Cummings “did not break the law” when he allegedly made two journeys from London to Durham during the height of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Cummings is alleged to have flouted Covid-19 regulations by driving 260 miles from London to Durham on two occasions because of childcare issues and his because his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.

The first was in late March, the second was on April 19 - Mr Cummings denies making the second trip.

He also took a trip to the Barnard Castle area, about 30 miles from Durham on April 12.

In the statement Mrs Harrison said: “Dominic Cummings provided a detailed account of the events, with a clear and methodical approach to his risk averse decision.

“He understood the rules surrounding the movement restrictions, along with the exceptions.

“This exceptional circumstance that Dominic was faced with afforded his own justification for travel, with the care of his child being of grave concern.

“He did not break the law and the police have not taken any action against Dominic, his wife or his family.”

Backing has also been given by nearby Workington MP Mark Jenkinson who said: “I would walk to the ends of the earth for my children, and should I have been placed in the same situation, I would probably have made the same judgment.

“There has been a significant amount of misreporting and the statement allowed us a chance to cut through some of the more politically motivated reporting.”

Penrith and the Border MP Dr Neil Hudson, also backed Mr Cummings, but Carlisle MP John Stevenson called for his resignation on Monday.

He said: “When you are in power you have a higher level of responsibility, especially when you are helping to formulate policy at this difficult time.”

In December, Mrs Harrison was made Boris Johnson’s parliamentary private secretary, which makes her one of the closest MPs to the Prime Minister.