Tory MSPs call on Cummings to quit
Two Tory MSPs representing Renfrewsire have called for Dominic Cummings to resign as chief adviser to the prime minister writes Local Democracy Reporter Steph Brawn.
The call has come after he made a 260-mile trip from London to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.
West of Scotland MSPs Jamie Greene and Maurice Golden, who both represent Renfrewshire, have insisted Boris Johnson’s top aide is creating a major distraction for governments trying to respond to the pandemic.
Mr Cummings claimed he had made the journey to a cottage at his parents’ farm because he was concerned about who would look after his four-year-old son after his wife began showing symptoms of Covid-19.
Mr Greene admitted Mr Cummings’ position was becoming untenable and the debate surrounding it is threatening to undermine the public health message.
“Wanting to do right by your family is one of the most natural instincts we share, but we also have to do what’s best for our communities, “said Mr Greene.
“Despite pressure, I will refrain from passing moral judgement on decisions Mr Cummings took as a father, husband or human. We’ve all done what we think is best in these extraordinarily unusual times.
“Nonetheless, in governance, it is the message, and more importantly its perception, which matters most.
“The volume of correspondence many of us have received in recent days makes it abundantly clear what the public mood is. The anger is palpable.
“With regards to Mr Cummings’ position, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how any outcome, other than a reconsideration of his position, will allow the narrative to move on from this unnecessary distraction.”
Mr Golden added: “Dominic Cummings must now be seriously considering his position as he has clearly become too much of a distraction on tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
“Downing Street and the prime minister are aware of the views from the Scottish Conservatives on the matter of his most senior adviser and the ongoing stories in relation to him.”
Neither politician, however, was forthcoming when asked whether they thought the prime minister should sack his adviser.