Responding to the UK government press conference in which Grant Shapps was unable to answer the most basic questions, SNP Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsty Blackman MP (pictured) said:
“There is now clear and undeniable evidence that Dominic Cummings broke multiple lockdown rules – but we still have no apology and no answers from him or the Prime Minister.
“Mr Cummings was personally appointed by the Prime Minister, it is the Prime Minister’s judgment that is now seriously in question.
“And every hour Mr Cummings remains in post does more harm to the importance and essential public health message that people who have the virus should stay at home.
“Boris Johnson must come out of hiding, sack Mr Cummings, and answer the growing number of questions about his own role in the Tory government’s cover-up, which left the public in the dark until a newspaper broke the story eight weeks later.
“The SNP has written to Sir Mark Sedwill calling for a swift inquiry so the full details can emerge – but the fact remains we already know Dominic Cummings broke the rules.
“One way or another he must go.
“The excuses are not credible and do not stack up.
“There was absolutely nothing in the list of reasons under the law for leaving the house that allowed someone to travel the length of the country to stay in another house, particularly not someone who was known to have the virus.
“When the Tories demanded the resignation of Catherine Calderwood, at the same time that Mr Cummings was flouting the rules, Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said ‘There cannot be one rule for bosses and another for everyone else’.
“It’s time they obeyed their own advice.”
