ISN’T one of the frustrations about putting the campaign for independence on the back burner to deal with the Covid-19 crisis – and to show leadership in dealing with it to convince the yet-to-be-persuaded electorate we can succeed – the long litany of clear examples why governance by Westminster is failing us that we’re allowing to pass by?

We have a Tory government clearly founded on the principle they can set rules for us that they don’t have to abide by themselves. We get lockdown, our loved relatives can die unattended by us and without us comforting them, we can’t attend their funerals and those who are sick and need hospital must face their trying time alone without our support. Yet those in government are not subjected to the rules they make for us.

READ MORE: Scottish independence: 53% of Scots want new vote by 2025

In Scotland Catherine Calderwood – at the instigation of those like Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, who now support Cummings and Johnson’s handling of the matter – was hounded out of her position. Is there a clearer example of political duplicity than Carlaw’s?

How could anyone trust this two-faced politician; isn’t he a political disgrace?

Why should we wait for any public inquiry to determine the wrongdoings of this Tory government when the chances are it won’t ever happen or in true Tory fashion its report would be buried?

Let’s be bold. Let’s declare next year’s Scottish elections the decision of Scots for independence. The ultimate mandate that Scots can vote for their own future, free of the duplicity of and servitude to Westminster.

Let’s strike while the iron is hot.

Jim Taylor
Edinburgh

READ MORE: Jackson Carlaw breaks silence on Cummings after Scottish Tory revolt​

AS Johnson, Cummings and co have no qualms about violating their own laws, then I certainly have no qualms ignoring their regime’s Section 30 order which was, remember, inserted in secret, without the knowledge or consent of the Scottish people.

The English majority in London does not possess the legal competence to bind another nation to its rule any more than the EU did to bind England against its will. The proposition is manifestly ridiculous.

The Scottish Government can, at any time, call a perfectly legal consultative referendum on the issue of Scottish independence. The Section 30 attempted annexation of Scottish maritime territory to England, theft of Scottish electronics, gas, oil, renewables, whisky and other assets worth billions per year, and attempted sell-out of Scottish farming and fishing rights that do not belong to them, are the most obvious acts of dubious legality committed by the English regime.

And let’s not get started on one country dumping its weapons of total extermination on another, in defiance of UN resolutions.

Oh yes, by the way, I don’t belong to a “devolved nation” as my country’s nationhood ain’t devolved from no-one.

Linda Horsburgh
Dundee

WATCHING both Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson attempting to justify Cummings’s clear breach of the spirit of their own guidelines has left me with ZERO, absolutely ZERO confidence in either of them continuing as representatives of the public.

To suggest that obfuscation in their own guidelines to the public justifies Cummings’s flagrant breach of their instructions as to how those guidelines should be interpreted is staggering beyond rational belief.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson due before Liaison Committee ... here's how to watch

It is further disingenuous of them to now wish us to believe that their “Be Alert” lockdown exit guidelines do not covertly allow/even encourage the “UK” public to do their own thing when those guidelines prove particularly awkward in particular circumstances.

For me, at least equally unacceptable is the psychological damage they will have inflicted

on so many who have made themselves cope within lockdown requirements as publicised by the “UK” Government – often despite so much suffering and loss.

All of these people have now been confronted by a contempt for and a belittling of their own rationales and responsible commitment to a cause actually led by the very Cummings and Johnson who have now betrayed them.

Whether consciously or not, Cummings and Johnson will almost certainly have caused huge psychological damage to the self-esteem and morale of those who have been getting strength from believing that their sacrifices have been for the common good and would be acknowledged as such.

Sadly Cummings and Johnson have now provided a shocking and misplaced message to the contrary.

James Dippie
Dalry

IT has taken Johnson and Cummings more than a week to make up a story about Cummings’s excursion 240 miles to Durham which smashed through the rules of “stay at home”. The PM knew the controversy was coming so he changed the wording to “stay alert”. Good one Dom!

That Cummings had to read from a script to describe what he did on the trip and his pitch for sympathy tells it all. Brian Rix couldn’t have done it better.

Mike Underwood
Linlithgow

READ MORE: Emily Maitlis praised for Newsnight opening on Dominic Cummings row​

SIXTY miles to test his eyesight. What a load of tosh.

If you want to test your ability to drive, stand 20 metres away from a motorcar and read the registration plate. Simple!! The genius guru of the Westminster Government couldn’t even come up with a convincing excuse for his “jolly” to Barnard Castle.

Harry Hall
Dundee

HOW could Boris Johnson remove Dominic Cummings – it would be like Emu trying to get rid of Rod Hull!

Mo Maclean
Glasgow