#cummingsgate

It strikes me that the Govt could have responded to @PippaCrerar's story in 1 of 3 ways. That is has chosen to try to 'brazen it out' may prove to be a big mistake.

Thread. 1/9

First, it could have interrogated the story, judged that there was a clear breach of the rules, and either sacked Cummings, or insisted that he resign. 2/9

(That would, of course, by no means end the political influence Cummings might continue to have.) 3/9

Second, it could have admitted that Cummings had made an error of judgement, apologised, and reinforced the messaging around the importance of respecting the rules as they now stand. 4/9

That, I think, would have been a plausible option, albeit one that relies on Cummings showing some contrition; and which assumes that he has not in fact committed multiple breaches of the rules. 5/9

(We've now seen a second story from the Mirror and Guardian, and let's not forget that this is a Bank Holiday weekend, so, there might yet be a third.) 6/9

Or, third, it could try to brazen it out. It could claim that he acted sensibly and did what anyone would do to safeguard his family.

The craven parade of Ministers leaping to his defence are doing just that. 7/9

As more details emerge, this is looking more and more like an attempt to defend the indefensible... and all the while, it undermines the credibility of the Government's messaging. 8/9

Managing this pandemic is, demonstrably, not easy. Managing it without the trust of the population, is considerably harder. And what trust there was, is rushing away. 9/9