SCOTTISH Tory leader Jackson Carlaw has refused to criticise Boris Johnson for backing Dominic Cummings, saying "it is a situation for him to judge".

The PM told the daily Downing Street briefing that his top aide "acted responsibly, legally and with integrity" when he travelled more than 250 miles to his parents' home during lockdown. 

Johnson also said that “some” of the allegations about Dominic Cummings’ behaviour during self-isolation were “palpably false”.

READ MORE: PM says Dominic Cummings 'acted responsibly' in breaking lockdown

After the briefing, Carlaw said: "I've heard what the Prime Minister has said and it is a situation for him to judge.“He has reached a conclusion and we must all now focus on continuing to beat this dreadful pandemic.

“I want the Prime Minister to be able to continue his excellent work leading the country out of lockdown and I am glad he set out his plans clearly today."

He added: "Here in Scotland, our focus must be on tackling the ongoing crisis in our care homes and building a robust testing and tracing system.

“There are more worrying reports today that this is proving difficult, and the Scottish Conservative focus will be on challenging the Scottish Government and demanding that promises both to protect care homes and isolate the disease are kept.”

Jackson Carlaw’s party were vocal critics of former CMO Catherine Calderwood’s decision to travel from Edinburgh to her second home in Fife with her family; a journey that led to her resignation weeks into the UK-wide lockdown.

Carlaw is the first one to comment publicly on Cummings' lockdown breach.

READ MORE: Scottish Conservatives silent as Dominic Cummings row rages on