News / Carmichael adds to calls for Cummings to quit
NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael says Boris Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings should resign or be sacked after driving 260 miles to his parents’ home during lockdown.
Carmichael said it is “unacceptable” that Cummings should not suffer any consequences.
Cummings’ trip from London to Durham in March came after his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms.
Prime minster Boris Johnson said his aide travelled to secure the “right kind of childcare at the moment when he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus, and when he had no alternative”.
He added: “I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly, and legally, and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.”
Cummings is facing calls to resign from opposition parties and Carmichael has added his voice.
The Lib Dem said the aide’s behaviour, and Johnson’s decision to back him, “risks undermining public confidence in the messaging of government”.
“From day one the government have employed the rhetoric of war when talking about the effort needed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“When so many people across the country have made such great sacrifices in the prosecution of that war it is unacceptable that Dominic Cummings should be behave like this and not suffer any consequences.
“Dominic Cummings’ behaviour – and the decision of the prime minister to support him – risks undermining public confidence in the messaging of government. It is also clearly consuming time and energy in government that could be better spent on tackling the disease.
“In all the circumstances if Dominic Cummings will not resign then the prime minister should dismiss him.”
Shetland’s only Conservative representative – Highlands and Islands list MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston – has been approached for comment. Donald Cameron is also a Conservative list MSP for the Highlands and Islands but usually covers the southern part of the huge area while Halcro Johnston represents communities in the northern half.
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