Blackpool MP Paul Maynard says Dominic Cummings' actions are 'indefensible' and says he must go

A Blackpool Conservative MP has spoken out as anger rises over the Prime Minister’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings.
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The political row has started due to Mr Cummings travelling more than 260 miles during the coronavirus lockdown to Durham in the north east of England, to be near his family.

While not naming him, Paul Maynard, who is the MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, tweeted that his actions are 'indefensible' after that he must go.

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Critics have claimed that such a journey was a potential breach of official guidelines, which at the time told the public they could only leave their homes for very limited reasons to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Maynard said Mr Cummings' actions are 'indefensible'Mr Maynard said Mr Cummings' actions are 'indefensible'
Mr Maynard said Mr Cummings' actions are 'indefensible'

The Sunday Mirror and Observer newspapers also allege Mr Cummings had revisited Durham after he had returned to work on April 14.

Despite Boris Johnson announcing in a Downing Street speech last night that Mr Cummings had 'acted responsibly, legally and with integrity', Mr Maynard does not agree with the leader of his party.

He publicly criticised Mr Cummings on Twitter and said: "I can only share the collective dismay and I understand the widespread anger. So many people in this constituency have gone out of their way to stick to both the letter and the spirit of the guidelines and laws, despite it coming at great personal emotional cost.

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"It is a classic case of 'do as I say, not as I do' - and it is not as if he was unfamiliar with guidance he himself helped draw up. It seems to me to be utterly indefensible and his position wholly untenable."

A number of Conservative MPs have said Mr Cummings needs to resign despite some Government ministers, including health secretary Matt Hancock and chancellor Rishi Sunak, supporting the chief aide's actions.

The Fylde coast's other Conservative MPs, Scott Benton, Mark Menzies and Ben Wallace, have not announced their thoughts on the situation however Mr Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, retweeted a post from fellow Tory MP Oliver Dowden which said: "Dom Cummings followed the guidelines and looked after his family. End of story."