Dominic Cummings has damaged public trust, leading scientists warn Boris Johnson

Twenty-six leading UK scientists and public health experts have warned that the Dominic Cummings scandal has “badly damaged” public trust in the government’s lockdown measures.

In a letter to Boris Johnson on Friday, the group expressed their fears about the safety and wellbeing of the British people as a result of the behaviour of the prime minister’s chief aide.

“As lockdown is eased, public trust and high compliance is essential to reduce the risk of a second spike in infections and deaths,” the academics wrote.

“This trust has been badly damaged by the actions of Dominic Cummings, including his failure to stand down or resign in the public interest.”

The scientists, including two members of the “Independent Sage” panel set up to mirror the government’s own advisory group, also criticise the prime minister’s “unwillingness” to sack Mr Cummings.

“It is vital for all people in positions of power to follow the rules with the same discipline as the rest of the population,” they add in the letter published in The Observer.

It comes after a government adviser on coronavirus accused Boris Johnson of “trashing” all the advice he was given on building public trust during the lockdown.

Prof Stephen Reicher said last Sunday that the prime minister’s defence of his top aide proved the government “doesn’t want to listen to advice”.

And on Saturday, the deputy chief medical officer took a swipe at Mr Cummings’ lockdown journey to Durham and Barnard Castle during the daily press conference.

“In my opinion the rules are clear and they have always been clear,” said Professor Jonathan Van-Tam. “In my opinion they are for the benefit of all. In my opinion they apply to all.”

According to an Opinium poll carried out on Thursday and Friday, 81 per cent of people believe Cummings broke the rules and 68 per cent think he should resign.

The 26 scientists also criticised the government’s track and trace programme, which was hurriedly launched earlier this week. “The public mood is fragile and unlikely to cope with another over-optimistic target-based strategy that goes on to fail,” they added.