A CABINET minister was last night accused of breaking the government’s lockdown rules twice.
Robert Jenrick travelled 150 miles from London to his £1.1million home in Herefordshire— where he is now living with his family — after travel to second homes was banned.
The housing, communities and local government secretary later made a 40-mile trip to visit his elderly parents in Shropshire, the Guardian reported.
He said he was delivering food and medicine and did not go inside their house.
Government guidelines say you should not visit family except if they need help, such as getting shopping or medication.
Mr Jenrick has been at the heart of the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
On March 23 new instructions were issued warning people to stay at home and not visit second homes “whether for isolation purposes or holidays”.
It added: “People should remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk.”
Mr Jenrick gave a press conference in Downing Street on March 29, at which he updated the nation on the latest virus advice.
He later travelled to his Herefordshire property where he has given several media interviews via videolink.
The MP for Newark, in Nottinghamshire, told the Daily Mail: “My house in Herefordshire is the place I, my wife and my young children consider to be our family home and my family were there before any restrictions on travel were announced.
“I have been working in London on ministerial duties, putting in place the system to shield the group most vulnerable to coronavirus and organising the response at a local level.
“Once I was able to work from home it was right that I went home to do so and be with my wife and also help care for my three young children.
“By staying at home, we protect the NHS and help save lives. I will be staying at my family home until Government advice changes or if I am needed in person in Westminster before the parliamentary session resumes after the Easter recess.”
Last night he also tweeted a response to the Guardian story, saying: “For clarity — my parents asked me to deliver some essentials — including medicines.
“They are both self-isolating due to age and my father’s medical condition and I respected social distancing rules.”
