Douglas Ross: Scottish Tory MP resigns over 'trouble' with Dominic Cummings lockdown trip

The MP has made his resignation letter public.

Scottish MP Douglas Ross has resigned as a government minister following the confusion surrounding Dominic Cummings’ recent excursion to Durham.

The Conservative MP for Moray said he has “trouble” with the chief advisor’s account of why he travelled more than 200 miles with suspected Covid-19 symptoms.

In a statement on Twitter he announced his decision to resign and posted a picture of his government resignation letter.

Mr Ross, the Under Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “I haven't commented publicly on the situation with Dominic Cummings as I have waited to hear the full details.

“I welcome the statement to clarify matters, but there remains aspects of the explanation which I have trouble with.

“As a result I have resigned as a government minister.”

Douglas Ross, former Tory MP for Moray

The Tory MP 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.

He 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”.

In his letter of resignation he wrote: “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.”

Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said Mr Ross will be a “huge loss” to government.

He said: “I accept Douglas’ position and respect the decision he has come to.

“This is a difficult situation for many, and people will arrive at different judgements.

“Douglas will be a huge loss to government and I thank him for all he’s done at the Scotland Office.

“I am in no doubt that he will continue to serve his Moray constituents with diligence and commitment, as he has done since first being elected.”