A DORSET MP has said Dominic Cummings must consider his position and is "wounding the government" following allegations he broke lockdown rules.

Mr Cummings, the Prime Minister’s top aide, has been accused of making two separate trips between London and his parents' home in Durham during the coronavirus lockdown. 

And Dorset MP, Simon Hoare, suggested Mr Cummings should consider his position as he is "damaging the competence of the government".

Mr Hoare said: "I have been contacted by a large number of constituents over the last 24 hours to say 'I wanted to go visit my whoever but we followed the advice'.

Bournemouth Echo: North Dorset MP Simon Hoare

"There is a lot of legitimate anger from people who have abided by the rules, every I dotted, every T crossed.

"People who have made huge sacrifices, missing funerals, the death of loved ones because they thought they were doing the right thing.

"When the adviser becomes the story it is perhaps time for them to leave the stage."

Boris Johnson had offered his “full support” to his under-fire chief adviser after it emerged Mr Cummings had travelled 260 miles to County Durham in March to self-isolate with his family despite strict restrictions against long-distance journeys.

Mr Hoare continued: "This is deeply damaging to the reputation of the government.

"Mr Cummings has a huge affection for the prime minister so I would have thought he would relieve himself of his role.

"If advisers are not helpful to the government, one has to wonder why he is there."

Mr Cummings reportedly travelled to Durham to find childcare for his son as he and his wife were experiencing symptoms of coronavirus.

Mr Hoare added: "I don't question his motives for doing it, I'm a father.

"But there are lots of mothers, lots of fathers, lots of sons and daughters who have wanted to do things during lockdown and have imposed self-restraint.

"That is what has caused significant annoyance.

"It has an element of 'do as I say, not as I do'."

According to reports in the Observer and Sunday Mirror, the 48-year-old later made a second trip to Durham and was seen there on April 19 – five days after being photographed on his return to Westminster.

A second eyewitness told the two papers they saw him a week earlier in Barnard Castle on Easter Sunday, a popular tourist location 30 miles away from Durham, during the period he was believed to be self-isolating.

Downing Street has said it would “not waste time” replying to the fresh allegations from “campaigning newspapers”.