Boris Johnson Stands by Lockdown Scofflaw

Faced with near-universal calls for the ouster of a top aide who flouted his own lockdown, Boris Johnson stood solidly with Dominic Cummings on Sunday, in what the New York Times calls a "blustery performance." "He followed the instincts of every father and every parent, and I do not mark him down for that," Johnson said Sunday of the 260 miles Cummings traveled to his parents house as he was showing signs of COVID-19. "I believe that in every respect, he has acted responsibly, and legally, and with integrity." The Times notes that Cummings has shown no sign of remorse, which has only served to inflame Johnson's political rivals. "The public will be forgiven for thinking there is one rule for the prime minister’s closest adviser and another for the British people," says Labour leader Keir Starmer, calling Johnson's inaction "an insult to the sacrifices made by the British people." (More Boris Johnson stories.)