Government Minister resigns over Dominic Cummings’ lockdown trips

A Conservative Member of Scottish Parliament had called the move a “disaster” and said that it shows “exactly why” Cummings should be sacked; the minister predicts more resignations

A government minister has resigned following Dominic Cummings’ trips while the nation is still in lockdown, putting on more pressure for the top Downing Street aide to lose his job.

Douglas Ross said the claim made by Dominic Cummings, that he had a valid excuse to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic was “not shared by the vast majority of people who have done as the government asked”.

This comes after thousands of people flocked to beaches on the hottest day of the year so far last week.

In a letter to The Prime Minister published on Tuesday morning, the former Scotland Office junior minister wrote:

“I have never met Dominic Cummings so my judgement on this matter has always been open and I accept his statement on Monday afternoon clarified the actions he took in what he felt were the best interests of his family.”

“However, these were decisions many others felt were not available to them.”

“As a father myself, my instinct is to always do what is best for my son and wife. We have been fortunate not to have caught this awful virus but if we did, we are prepared to follow the government advice and stay at home to contain this virus.”

“While the intentions may have been well-meaning, the reaction to this news shows that Mr Cummings’ interpretation of the government advice was not shared by the vast majority of people who have done as the government asked.”

“I have constituents who didn’t get to say goodbye to loved ones; families who could not mourn together; people who didn’t visit sick relatives because they followed the guidance of the government.”

“I cannot in good faith tell them they were all wrong and one senior adviser to the government was right.”

This comes after it was announced that all non-essential shops and retailers would be able to open from 15th June.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stood by Mr Cummings for moving to his parents’ farm in Durham from London at the beginning of March when at the time, the rest of the nation was told to “stay at home” in order to protect the NHS.

A Downing Street spokesperson has said that Mr Johnson had thanked Mr Ross for his service and “regrets” his decision to quit.

Cummings has said that he had “exceptional circumstances” compelling him to drive the 260 miles north, following his wife coming down with COVID-19 symptoms, he claimed that he sought help with looking after their children from his family in case the couple were unable to do so.

On Monday the former Vote Leave boss also admitted for the first time that he made a third trip to the town of Barnard Castle, a 30 minute drive away, in order to ensure that his vision was good enough for him to drive back to London as his eyesight had been impaired by the coronavirus.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the decision to have a “test drive” was “wise”. He continued to say that:

“He was wise to make sure he was comfortable before driving back down to London on the A1 – an inevitably busy road”

“I can understand why he just wanted to make sure he was comfortable behind the wheel.”