Senior British official defends PM aide over lockdown row

LONDON - British Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove on Tuesday defended Prime Minister Boris Johnson's chief aide's travels during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Gove told local media that Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings' account of his actions was "exhaustive, detailed and verifiable."

"Most people will understand he was under pressure, and sought to put the health of his wife and son first, and took care to ensure they as a family unit were not in danger of infecting other people," he said.

The latest development came one day after Cummings made a public explanation over why he drove in March from London to County Durham, some 250 miles away, as the country was under COVID-19 lockdown.

Cummings on Monday defended his actions during his first public appearance since a major row erupted over reports that he "broke" Britain's lockdown rules.

During a news conference in the rose garden of Downing Street, Cummings told reporters that he had behaved "reasonably".

Critics say Cummings has failed to apologize for his actions, while opposition parties continue calls for him to be sacked.

Johnson has publicly backed Cummings.