Oliver Mundell resigns from Shadow Cabinet over support for travel ban

Oliver Mundell has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet after voting against the party whip over concerns of the impact border restrictions would have on communities in his constituency.

Scottish Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire, Oliver Mundell, said: “On this occasion it was sadly not possible to balance the very specific needs of my constituents with the need to take a collective view as a party that works for the whole country.

“I understand the difficult position that puts colleagues in and I have therefore regrettably offered Douglas Ross my resignation as a party spokesperson. I continue to fully support him and the party.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Oliver always puts the needs of his constituents first and while I’m very disappointed to see him leave the Shadow Cabinet, I appreciate that he is only doing what he feels is best for his local area.

Oliver Mundell has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet after voting against the party whip over concerns of the impact border restrictions would have on communities in his constituency. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

“He has been a very capable member of the Shadow Cabinet and I thank him for all his work for the party. I know he will continue to be a great Scottish Conservative representative for Dumfriesshire.”

The travel ban was passed by the Scottish Parliament on Thursday night, after MSPs backed a motion by Deputy First Minister John Swinney to endorse the regulations by 99 votes to 23.

Scottish Labour had earlier forced a vote on the travel ban by putting forward an amendment to prevent the restrictions being enshrined in law.

Leader Richard Leonard said the ban was “not common sense”, but “nonsense and the government knows it”.

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