Dominic Cummings: Government minister Douglas Ross MP resigns from cabinet after top Boris Johnson aide allegedly breaks lockdown rules

Dominic Cummings’ alleged lockdown breaches have provoked a resignation from Government by a junior minister amid continued anger at Boris Johnson’s top aide.
By Sam Blewett - PA Political Correspondent
Published 26th May 2020, 09:59 BST
Updated 26th May 2020, 10:02 BST
Dominic Cummings arrives at work in Downing Street, the day after he held a press conference. (Photo: PA Wire)Dominic Cummings arrives at work in Downing Street, the day after he held a press conference. (Photo: PA Wire)
Dominic Cummings arrives at work in Downing Street, the day after he held a press conference. (Photo: PA Wire)

Douglass Ross, the under secretary of state for Scotland, said on Tuesday that he was quitting after hearing Mr Cummings’ efforts to defend his trip from London to Durham.

Mr Ross said he could not “in good faith” tell his constituents who could not care for sick relatives or say goodbye to dying ones while obeying lockdown rules that Mr Cummings acted appropriately.

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The first resignation over the allegations rocking the Government came as Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove sought to defend his longstanding ally.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Douglas Ross MP, who has resigned from the cabinet over the Dominic Cummings row. (Photo: PA Wire)Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Douglas Ross MP, who has resigned from the cabinet over the Dominic Cummings row. (Photo: PA Wire)
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Douglas Ross MP, who has resigned from the cabinet over the Dominic Cummings row. (Photo: PA Wire)

Mr Ross said that “while the intentions may have been well meaning”, Mr Cummings’ interpretation of the rules was “not shared by the vast majority of people”.

“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,” the Tory MP for Moray wrote.

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

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Related topics:Dominic CummingsDouglas RossGovernmentBoris JohnsonMichael GoveDurham