The families of UK coronavirus victims say they are furious that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's chief advisor was allowed to get away with breaking the lockdown that forced them away from their dying loved ones.
Dominic Cummings drove 418 kilometres from his London home with his wife, who was suffering from coronavirus at the time, and his young son to visit his parents.
Mr Cummings later tested positive for COVID-19.
Whitchurch resident John Wilson wrote to his local MP to say that he was not extended the same privilege of visiting his wife, even though she was dying of COVID-19.
"My wife died of COVID-19... hospital lockdown prevented me from seeing her for two weeks before her death. On the day she died I could not be there to hold her hand, I just sat by the telephone," John Wilson wrote.
"Under severe mental and emotional stress, I, like the vast majority of the population, have complied with your government's instructions in order to protect my fellow citizens. I will spare you my opinion of the actions of the leader of your party yesterday."
Others took to social media to voice their disappointment, with Hannah Hatt saying she felt "sick and ashamed" by the apparent double standard.
"I went against instincts and watched/listened to my father's last hours battling cancer via WhatsApp and phone instead of being by his side," she wrote.
"But our PM said it was acceptable for Dominic Cummings to visit his parents not once but twice."
Mr Cummings has resisted calls for his resignation, saying he has not considered stepping down.
Mr Johnson has come to his defence, telling reporters Mr Cummings was following his "paternal instincts" by dropping off his son at his grandparents' house while both he and his wife were sick.
But his constituents saw the matter differently, with some parents saying they were forced to ignore their parental instincts to obey the coronavirus restrictions.
"During this lockdown, my eight-year-old daughter has been undergoing treatment for cancer," Andy Lewis wrote on Twitter.
"There were times when I could not be in hospital to hold her hand during treatment. I wanted to ‘care for my child as a father’ too."
Palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke said the government's lack of action against Mr Cummings was "insulting" to grieving families and the frontline workers who have had to stop them from seeing their loved ones.
"If Dominic Cummings isn't gone by the end of today, Boris Johnson is insulting every grieving relative I have had to call to explain why they can't visit their dying loved one in hospital," she wrote.
Mr Cummings has not apologised for his actions, but has expressed regret for not asking Mr Johnson for permission to travel.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Share
