THE First Minister has said Douglas Ross’s decision to resign over the Dominic Cummings row is “fair play”.
Speaking at today’s Scottish Government briefing, Nicola Sturgeon was asked about the Scotland Office minister’s announcement.
Following the controversial adviser’s unprecedented press conference on his 250-mile trip to Durham with his wife and son while sick with Covid-19 during the lockdown, Ross said he felt he could no longer serve as a member of the UK Government.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross resigns as minister over Dominic Cummings row
In a statement 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 adviser to the government was right.”
The SNP leader said Moray MP Ross has made a “principled” decision.
She told reporters: "He believes Cummings' actions were not acceptable and I think he has taken the principled decision and we will see if others will follow suit."
READ MORE: Dominic Cummings: Tory MSP calls for adviser to be sacked
Ross’s decision to step down from his Scotland Office position prompted Tory MSPs to come forward over the Cummings row.
While Jackson Carlaw has sat on the fence on the issue over the last few days, Adam Tomkins called for Cummings’s resignation when Ross made his statement.
He wrote: “To lose @Douglas4Moray from Government is a disaster.
“His was one of clearest voices for the Union in Government. It shows exactly why Cummings should be sacked. I suspect others will follow where Douglas has led.”
MSP Murdo Fraser has also written to a constituent calling for the adviser to go.
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