A Government minister has resigned over Dominic Cummings' flouting of lockdown rules.
Douglas Ross, who was a minister in the Scotland Office, said he couldn't stand behind the government as it defended Mr Cummings
In a statement announcing his resignation, he said many of his constituents had missed the funerals of loved ones and were unable to visit sick relatives.
And he indicated his decision was forced by Boris Johnson's decision to defend Mr Cummings despite growing outcry from his constituents.
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 advisor to the government was right."
He added: "This is not a decision I have reached quickly. I have waited to hear all of the information and thought long and hard over this. I realise both the immediate and long-term implications of my decision to resign from government.
"While it has been a great privilege to serve as a Minister, my first duty is to be a representative and I feel I can best represent my Moray constituents and many across the country who have expressed their feelings about this by resigning as a Minister."
Mr Ross added: "While the intentions may have been well meaning, the reaction to this news shows that Mr Cummings interpretation of the government advice was not shared by the vast majority of people who have done as the government asked."
In a tweet announcing his resignation, Mr Ross wrote: "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."
A Number 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister would like to thank Douglas Ross for his service to government and regrets his decision to stand down as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland."
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said he "understands" and "respects" Mr Ross' decision to quit.
He tweeted: Great loss to the Scotland Office and UK Government, sorry to see him go but entirely respect and understand his decision.
"I know he will continue to be an excellent MP for Moray as we all seek to tackle this health crisis."
Mr Cummings’ unprecedented statement in the No10 rose garden yesterday came after more than 20 Tory MPs demanded Mr Cummings resign or be sacked over his 260-mile drive to Durham in late March.
Furious members of the public said there was one rule for them and another for the PM's pals after they were firmly told to stay at home.
Mr Ross, the Tory MP for Moray, was appointed to the Scotland Office in December, following Boris Johnson's general election victory.
He has a majority of 513 votes.
He is also a qualified football referee and linesman, and has officiated at UK and Champions League level.
Douglas Ross's resignation statement in full
"I have just tendered my resignation from the UK Government and my position as Under Secretary of State for Scotland.
"Following my re-election as MP for Moray last December, I was honoured to be asked by the Prime Minister to join his Government and take on this role in the Scotland Office.
"It is a position I have relished and one I've committed to wholeheartedly since my appointment.
"There was much I still hoped to do in this role but events over the last few days mean I can no longer serve as a member of this Government.
"I have never met Dominic Cummings so my judgment on this matter has always been open and I accept his statement on Monday afternoon clarified the actions he took in what he felt were the best interests of his family. However, these were decisions many others felt were not available to them.
"As a father myself, my instinct is to always do what is best for my son and wife. We have been fortunate not to have caught this awful virus but, if we did, we are prepared to follow the government advice and stay at home to contain this virus.
"While the intentions may have been well-meaning, the reaction to this news shows that Mr Cummings' interpretation of the government advice was not shared by the vast majority of people who have done as the Government asked.
"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.
"This is not a decision I have reached quickly. I have waited to hear all of the information and thought long and hard over this.
"I realise both the immediate and long-term implications of my decision to resign from Government.
"While it has been a great privilege to serve as a minister, my first duty is to be a representative and I feel I can best represent my Moray constituents and many across the country who have expressed their feelings about this by resigning as a minister.
"I look forward to continuing to stand up for the people of Moray from the back benches."
