DOUGLAS Ross says he can’t get his head around Dominic Cummings’ claims that he drove to a beauty spot with his wife and child to test his eyesight.
The Scottish Tory MP spoke out after he resigned as a UK Government minister over the controversy surrounding Boris Johnson’s chief adviser.
Cummings, who had travelled more than 250 miles to Durham during lockdown, claimed he took a 60-mile round trip to Barnard Castle to test his ability to drive back to London, after experiencing loss of vision due to coronavirus.
But Moray MP Ross was not convinced by the explanation.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross resigns as minister over Dominic Cummings row
He told STV: “There were circumstances, which, you know, he took an immediate decision late at night to protect his family, and I can understand why people would do that.
“But I also represent people who didn’t take that decision, who followed strictly the Government guidance. And there was one overriding issue I can’t get my head around, is if you are struggling with your vision, you don’t travel for 30 minutes to test your vision and then travel 30 minutes back again.
“And that’s the bit I really can’t go out there and defend and say I agree with this. And ultimately I had to make a decision and as a Government minister you have to defend the Government and therefore I’m able to express my concerns now, outwith government.”
Ex-minister @Douglas4Moray says Dominic Cummings' claim he drove to a beauty spot to test his eyesight is 'the bit I really can't defend' as he explains why he resigned from the UK Government. https://t.co/laGW0QoAip pic.twitter.com/b63EhSUM0s
— STV News (@STVNews) May 26, 2020
READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw FINALLY calls for Dominic Cummings to resign
Ross’ resignation as a minister came as several frontbench Scottish Tory MSPs called on Cummings to step down.
After seeing a raft of his top shadow Cabinet members break ranks, Jackson Carlaw called on Johnson’s chief aide to “consider his position”.
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