EAST Hampshire MP Damian Hinds has had “600 or so” emails from constituents demanding answers about the Dominic Cummings incident.

Cummings, a top government adviser, left London after lockdown was imposed for a relatives’ farm in Durham with his wife and son when they thought they had coronavirus.

Mr Hinds said: “It does need to be acknowledged that in the case of Mr Cummings, mistakes were made and the spirit, at least, of the rules broken, whatever the motivation.

“Many people have suffered terribly in this time, including many who have lost loved ones, unable to see them and comfort them at the end. Many, many more have had to make awful personal sacrifices to help bear down on the virus. Crucial to this is the sense that everyone is in it together and working together – there cannot be one rule for some and another rule for others.

“I have put my assessment, and the clear message I have heard from constituents, to the government. My overriding concern is we must be fully focused on defeating this disease.”