Highland Tory politicians call on Dominic Cummings to go as coronavirus lockdown row rumbles on
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Leading Conservative politicians in the Highlands have added their voices to calls for government adviser Dominic Cummings to resign.
Amid public fury over revelations he drove 260 miles from London during the coronavirus lockdown, the Prime Minister's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, said he believed he had acted "reasonably" and within the law in taking his family to County Durham after his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.
But public anger has simmered on days after the revelations and Moray MP Douglas Ross resigned his post as a junior Scotland Office minister yesterday, saying Mr Cummings's view of guidance was "not shared by the vast majority of people".
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said, having taken the difficult decision to remain in Edinburgh throughout lockdown to avoiding unnecessary travel to and from his home in Orkney, he fully understood the frustration and anger of constituents who had contacted him.
He said whether or not Mr Cummings believed he acted within the law – or even within the spirit of the law – there was widespread anger at his actions, as well as legitimate concerns that the impact of government public health advice may have been undermined.
"While it is a matter for the Prime Minister, it is my personal opinion that Dominic Cummings should have resigned or been removed from his position, and I have made my views known through the appropriate channels," he said.
"It is now vital that the UK government focuses all its attention and efforts on the work it is doing in fighting this pandemic and supporting families, communities and businesses across the United Kingdom."
He was sad to see Douglas Ross leave government, he said, but understood and respected his decision.
Fellow Tory MSP Donald Cameron was of the same view but did not wish to comment more fully, though he retweeted Douglas Ross's resignation letter along with the message, "Well done, my friend."
Another Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain, put out a letter via social media saying while he understood the wish of a parent to protect their family, Dominic Cummings had made a series of poor decisions.
"It is, however, very clear that he is now deflecting our attention from dealing with the current crisis, this is deeply unhelpful," he said.
"To that end I think he should reflect whether it is right for him to be the news when our focus should be on how we are dealing with this pandemic."
He said: "By asking Mr Cummings to reconsider his position I am hopeful he will make the decision on his future himself rather than the need for someone else to do so."
Councillor Andrew Jarvie, the leader of the Conservative group on Highland Council, said Dominic Cummings's position was completely untenable.
"There is no option but for him to go," maintained Cllr Jarvie who said many people felt Mr Cummings had driven a horse and cart through the spirit of the law.
"Most people have committed to staying at home, only going out when it was most urgent or essential," he said.
"It isn't quite fair. It could have been handled better from the start and his position is untenable.
"It is damaging the government."
Cllr Jarvie, who noted there had been no apology from Mr Cummings, said Douglas Ross made "absolutely the right decision" in resigning.
"It is incredibly sad an MP next door to me made it back into government and then resigned but I am also immensely proud of Douglas that he put his constituents ahead of his career in making this decision," he said.
Opposition politicians including Inverness SNP MP Drew Hendry have also joined in the row.
"Hundreds of constituents have been in touch to share their anger at the Prime Minister’s handling of this situation and emails continue to come in thick and fast today," he said. "People have had enough of ridiculous spin and tall tales – and they are right to be outraged.
“It should be unimaginable that any government would place protecting an advisor's career above public health and public confidence amid a health and economic crisis. This cannot be allowed to continue and my SNP colleagues and I will keep up pressure on Mr Johnson and this failing government to take action.
“Most worryingly, police in England are already reporting people citing Mr Cummings as a reason to break the current restrictions."
Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs Rhoda Grant and David Stewart said in a joint statement: “It’s become clear that’s there’s one rule for Boris Johnson’s advisor and another for the rest of us.
“The public won’t be easily placated by Cummings’s story, especially those who have suffered the loss of a loved one and not been able to travel to be by their bedside.
"Boris’s handling of the situation has been unbelievable and now his position, as well as Cummings's, should be on the line, no doubt about that.
“But what really worries us is that people will start ignoring advice over restrictions and there is a sudden spike in Covid-19 in our region and so we must appeal to everyone to help save lives and stick to the guidelines."
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