Opposition leaders unite in joint call to sack Dominic Cummings

Six opposition parties have united to demand that the Prime Minister sack his advisor Dominic Cummings for having “severely undermined” trust in public health advice.

Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home the day after he a gave press conference over allegations he breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

The Westminster leaders of the SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, Green Party and Alliance Party have signed a joint letter warning that clarity in the UK’s coronavirus messaging “can now only be achieved by removing Dominic Cummings from his post without further delay."

Yesterday Mr Cummings gave a long and detailed explanation for his decision to travel 260 miles with his family to his father’s farm near Durham, despite suspecting that he and his wife could have coronavirus.

Public health experts, including members of the government’s own scientific advisory body, have warned that respect for rules around social distancing could be eroded.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London.

Confidence in the government appears to have been hit by the controversy, with Boris Johnson’s approval rating dropping 20 points in four days, dipping into negative territory for the first time during the crisis.

A YouGov poll found that 71% of people think Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules and 59% think he should resign.

Dozens of Conservative MPs have called for Mr Cummings to be sacked, and the junior Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross quit the government saying he could not justify the top aide’s actions to constituents.

"This is an issue that transcends politics,” the six party leaders state. “It has united people of every party and political persuasion, who believe strongly that it is now your responsibility as Prime Minister to return clarity and trust in public health messaging.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford added: “The longer the Prime Minister takes to act the more damage will be done to trust in his government and the public health advice. That is not a price worth paying."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer did not take part in the remote meeting on Tuesday morning. The Labour Party has stopped short of saying Mr Cummings should be sacked, although Mr Starmer has said that if he was Prime Minister, he would have removed him.

It is understood Labour want to avoid turning the controversy into a political row and focus on the damage to public trust.

“It is now a matter of record that Mr Dominic Cummings broke multiple lockdown rules,” the letter from the six other leaders states. “He is yet to express any apology or contrition for these actions. There cannot be one rule for those involved in formulating public health advice and another for the rest of us.”

It goes on: “In the weeks and months ahead, it will be crucial that people obey the rules and have confidence in those setting them. It is in all our interests that public trust is maintained, and that people buy into essential public health messaging.”

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