EAST Lancashire Conservative MPs and activists showed little sympathy for Dominic Cummings yesterday after his explanation of a 250-mile trip to Durham during lockdown.

As Boris Johnson’s embattled aide fought for his career, their reaction reflected the anger of many people over his alleged breach of coronavirus rules.

They spoke out after junior Scottish Office minister Douglas Ross quit over the issue and 30 Tory backbenchers called on the Prime Minister’s controversial chief adviser to resign.

Cllr John Slater, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Conservative group leader, led the criticism saying: “Dominic Cummings should consider his position after what he has done.”

Veteran Hyndburn councillor Judith Addison said: “Cummings' behaviour has diminished public respect for and trust in the government and the Conservative Party.

“I don’t think it reflects well on Boris Johnson that he has backed him to the hilt. People in public office should lead by example and not say one thing and then do something else.

Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe said: “I sympathise with Mr Cummings’ reasoning for his decisions. However I agree with my constituents who say that this has broken the ‘spirit’ of the guidelines and that this was not the interpretation made by many others.”

Her Burnley Tory Parliamentary colleague Antony Higginbotham said: “I’ve received many emails on this over the last few days, and I fully understand the anger. It is anger that I also felt when I first heard the reports, knowing the enormous sacrifices made by families across our borough.

“I also watched the full press conference and considered what I would say to a constituent who came to me with similar circumstances. I know I would say to that person they acted reasonably.”

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry, who himself faced criticism after the Covid-19 lockdown stranded him in Anglesey, said: “I’m sure many people will have seen Dominic Cummings’ explanation, they will have to draw their own conclusion as to whether they think his actions were reasonable.”

Julian Arnold, chairman of Blackburn Conservative Association said: “It has been an unfortunate sequence of events. It has been badly handled and I think Mr Cummings should have apologised but I don’t think he should resign."

Cllr David Peat, chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said: “This is something for Mr Cummings and the Prime Minister to sort out between them.”

Pendle Tory MP and government minister Andrew Stephenson failed to respond to requests to comment but retweeted a post by government Chief Whip Mark Spencer which said the Downing Street garden press conference was ‘a full, frank, honest and open statement ‘ adding that Mr Cummings ‘acted as a father and husband within the rules’

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern said: “The statement made by Mr Cummings did not change my views that his behaviour was disgraceful and arrogant. He should resign or be sacked.

“We need to focus on dealing with coronavirus rather than on this day after day soap opera.”