The Cummins Accountability Project has today written to Darlington MP Lola McEvoy, seeking clarity on which government department approved or monitored Cummins Darlington’s continued operation during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown periods. The plant remained open under “essential work” status while national restrictions forced widespread closures.
The inquiry was submitted by Lee Thompson, TCAP founder and former Cummins Darlington employee, following repeated referrals and a lack of transparency from departments including the Department for Business and Trade, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and Public Health England. The aim is to establish:
- Which department or process formally authorised Cummins Darlington to operate as “essential” during lockdowns
- Which regulatory body is responsible if such status was misrepresented
- How a former employee or member of the public can escalate concerns over potentially improper exemptions
While manufacturing sites were permitted to continue operating under certain conditions, the guidance required firms to demonstrate that on-site work was truly necessary and that safety measures were in place. No publicly documented approval or audit process has been identified in Cummins’ case.
“I worked at the plant during lockdown and have long questioned how its designation as ‘essential’ was determined. Departments keep passing the buck. If Cummins misrepresented its operations, it raises serious concerns over public health compliance and fairness in business.” – Lee Thompson, TCAP Founder
TCAP has requested that Ms McEvoy either clarify the responsible department or raise a Parliamentary Question to ensure that Cummins’ status, and others like it, are subject to proper oversight. The request does not allege wrongdoing at this stage but seeks transparency and accountability.
Should no satisfactory response be received, TCAP will escalate the matter to appropriate regulatory channels and include findings in future reporting.
We will publish any formal reply in due course.
The Cummins Accountability Project