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'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's senior advisor is caught with a knife - he claims 'exceptional circumstances' and although the police say he has probably committed an offence the AG says 'let's not politicise it, he acted reasonably and legally.'

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