Consider this: following public indignation about knife crime, the government introduce legislation to make it an offence to have a knife in a public place. The House of Commons overwhelmingly passes the legislation.

Written into the legislation is the clause that it may be reasonable in exceptional circumstances to carry a knife, but the government& #39;s message is clear - those carrying a knife shall be prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment.

Within a week of this legislation being passed - the Government& #39;s senior advisor is caught with a knife - he claims & #39;exceptional circumstances& #39; and although the police say he has probably committed an offence the AG says & #39;let& #39;s not politicise it, he acted reasonably and legally.& #39;

That is essentially where we are with Dominic Cummings and this government - their message is shot along with their credibility.