Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Boris Johnson's senior aide Dominic Cummings said his decision to drive to County Durham was based not only on fears over a lack of childcare if he became incapacitated with Covid-19 but also concerns about his family's safety.

At an extraordinary press conference in Downing Street's rose garden, Mr Cummings said stories suggested he had opposed lockdown and "did not care about many deaths".

He said: "The truth is that I had argued for lockdown, I did not oppose it but these stories had created a very bad atmosphere around my home, I was subjected to threats of violence, people came to my house shouting threats, there were posts on social media encouraging attacks."

Mr Cummings said he was worried that "this situation would get worse" and "I was worried about the possibility of leaving my wife and child at home all day and often into the night while I worked in Number 10."

"I thought the best thing to do in all the circumstances was to drive to an isolated cottage on my father's farm."

Travelling to Durham 'the best thing to do' says Dominic Cummings as he defends journey