Just spoke to @SkyNews about why I think the accusations about Cummings WILL be the sort of story that cuts through with the public and why this will be politically difficult for the government.

Some thoughts...

1 - The public really don't like Cummings. Before all of this, just 14% had a favourable view of him, 45% unfavourable. He was even in negative territory among Conservative voters.

Normally this doesn't matter too much, but he's not an ideal person to be front and centre.

2 - Goes without saying, but the public hate anything that sounds like public figures acting "hypocritically" or not following the rules that they ask the rest of us to follow.

3 – It comes at a time when there is already a gap opening up between the public and the government over lockdown policy, with the public thinking they are moving too fast. This could build into a narrative that those at the top don’t care enough about public health.

4 - The public have loved to judge others during this crisis. While almost everyone says they have been following the rules, they are constantly upset/angry because there is a perception that others aren't.