A Tory MP who was unable to visit his dying father due to coronavirus lockdown has pleaded with Boris Johnson to sack Dominic Cummings.
Laurence Robertson said being prevented from visiting his father before he died this month will “haunt me for the rest of my days.”
Mr Cummings was unapologetic at an unprecedented press conference last night in the Number 10 rose garden, after admitting he drove 260 miles to a rural hideaway in Durham while apparently infected with the disease.
More than 20 Tory MPs demanded Mr Cummings resign or be sacked over the drive to Durham - and a further visit to Barnard Castle, which the PM’s top aide said he undertook to check if he was fit to drive.
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.
In an email to constituents, Tewkesbury MP Mr Robertson said: “Like many others, I have found the rules to be personally heart-wrenching.
“On 5th May, my father died of Coronavirus and the pain and guilt of my being unable to visit him as he fought for his life will haunt me for the rest of my days.
“I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone, but I know that many of my constituents have suffered in the same or similar ways.”
He went on: “However we are fighting against a world-wide pandemic and really do need to be all in this together.
"I have, therefore, spent yesterday and today urging the Prime Minister and all those closely connected to him, to recognise the strength of feeling which exists on this issue and to dismiss Mr Cummings without further delay.”
He added: “For now, I will not be playing this matter out in public, but am working on the issue through the effective channels which exist."
This morning Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross resigned, indicating he could no longer defend Mr Cummings’ actions to his constituents.
In a statement, he said: "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."
