Galloway and West Dumfries MSP calls on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign following party allegations

One of Dumfries and Galloway’s Tory parliamentarians has urged Boris Johnson to resign.

On Wednesday, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called on Mr Johnson to go after he admitted attending a Downing Street party during lockdown in May 2020.

And that’s a view shared by Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson.

He said: “I believe his position has now become untenable. We need a Prime Minister that the public have trust in and who they believe has integrity. There is no two ways about it. Trust and integrity are two of the most fundamental requirements for public office.

“He is the Prime Minister and it was his government that put these strict rules in place. He has to be held accountable for his actions.”

By contrast, Dumfries and Galloway MP and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he had “faith” in the PM and felt he was doing “a fantastic job”.

He urged people to await the result of an inquiry by civil servant Sue Gray into allegations of lockdown parties at Downing Street.

Mr Jack said: “Boris Johnson should not resign, I am 100 per cent supporting the Prime Minister. My view is we should wait for the outcome of Sue Gray’s inquiry.

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack has defended the Prime Minister (Getty Images)

“We know he didn’t get an email telling him it was a bring your own booze party or event, we know he went into the garden at six o’clock to thank people and we know he left at 6.25pm.

“He made all that clear in his statement. He has made a heartfelt apology, he understand’s people’s anger about the events and we should await the outcome of the inquiry.”

Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell also called on people to await the results of the inquiry but wanted more evidence on the 2020 gathering.

He said: “There have been calls, which I support, for a full explanation of the events in question to be given before the publication of the ongoing report.

“Certainly, I cannot see that offering this information could in any way prejudice the outcome of the report, and it would provide the public with answers to which they are most definitely entitled in these circumstances.

“This week in the House of Commons was an opportunity for that full, straightforward explanation to be given, but I regret that I do not believe it was taken. Along with everyone else, I will now await the outcome of the report by Ms Gray.”

Mr Mundell’s son Oliver, who is also MSP for Dumfriesshire, had not issued a response by the time of going to print.