Local MP Jamie Stone calls for PM to sack Cummings
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Following revelations over the weekend about government advisor Dominic Cummings visit to Durham from London and Prime Minister Boris Johnson's subsequent defence of the journey, far north MP Jamie Stone has written to Mr Johnson today.
In his letter he says: "I am writing to you because of the vast number of emails that I have received from constituents this weekend regarding the behaviour of Dominic Cummings, and your decision to retain him as your advisor.
"Without exception my constituents are furious at what they have heard.
"People have made huge sacrifices to observe lockdown guidance. They have kept away from family and friends, their businesses have suffered, and their mental health has suffered. But they did it because the UK and Scottish Governments told them they must. That the price of not following the rules was to risk spreading the virus and infecting vulnerable people. And that the price of widespread infection would be a high death rate.
"I am proud of how my constituents, and the British public as a whole, have come together in this crisis.
"They have made their sacrifices willingly, they have supported their neighbours and reached out to those in need. They trusted the Scottish Government and your Government to lead our country out of this difficult time, and they were determined to play their part.
"The events of this weekend are a huge betrayal to every one of us who stayed home. To every parent who cared for their child when they were themselves ill. To every person who could not attend the funeral of a loved family member. To everyone who gave up holidays, celebrations and outings for the sake of the wider community.
"I am fearful that your decision to retain Dominic Cummings as your advisor, despite his decision to travel to his parents when he, or his wife, had Coronavirus symptoms, will encourage other people to think that it is acceptable to break the lockdown restrictions.
"If Mr Cummings is free to interpret the guidelines to suit his own particular circumstances, then why shouldn’t everybody else? I am concerned that this will mean an increase in infections, and that it will be extremely difficult to reimpose any further restrictions. I believe that you and your Government have lost that most crucial thing of all – the trust of the British public, and that this could have very serious implications for public health.
"I urge you to reconsider your decision to stand by Mr Cummings. Only by sacking him now have you any hope of regaining the moral authority to lead our nation safely through this crisis."
