Every Conservative MP who has condemned Dominic Cummings as lockdown row escalates
Steve Baker was the first Tory MP to condemn Dominic Cummings (PA)
22 min read
A rolling list of every Conservative MP that has broken party ranks to condemn Dominic Cummings. There are widespread calls for the senior aide’s resignation after it was revealed over the weekend that he had travelled from London to Durham during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Steve Baker
Former ERG chairman and ex-Brexit minister Steve Baker was the first Tory MP to put his head above the parapet. He put forward his view in The Critic, writing that “Dominic Cummings must go before he does any more harm”.
The Wycombe MP was then quickly slotted into the Sunday shows schedule. Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge, he said: "If he doesn't resign we will just keep burning through Boris' political capital at a rate we can ill afford in the midst of this crisis.
“It is very clear that Dominic travelled when everyone else understood Dominic's slogans to mean stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
"And I think mums and dads who very much care about their children, and who have been forgoing the childcare of their extended family will wonder why he has been allowed to do this."
Simon Hoare
Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee Simon Hoare shared his view on the situation on Sunday morning.
He said that Mr Cummings should “consider his position” due to the damage he was doing to the Government’s reputation.
Sir Roger Gale
Veteran Tory MP Sir Roger Gale was next to tweet his views, before taking to LBC, BBC, ITV and more to hammer home his position.
He expressed some sympathy, writing that “as a father and as a grandfather I fully appreciate Mr Cummings’ desire to protect his child”.
But, he criticised him for breaking the rules, concluding that his position “is no longer tenable”.
Damian Collins
Also taking to Twitter, Damian Collins wrote said that "the government would be better without [Dominic Cummings]".
Peter Bone
Wellingborough MP Peter Bone, another Vote Leave alumnus, told ITV News that "when advisers become the story, they go".
He said: "What I think is unforgivable is that Dominic Cummings didn't resign. And then he put the Prime Minister in a situation where it was either sack him or keep him and, in the past, an adviser in that situation would have no hesitation but to resign."
"Behind the scenes, the vast, vast majority of Conservative MPs think Dominic Cummings should go.”
Caroline Nokes
Former minister Caroline Nokes stated on Twitter that “there cannot be one rule for most of us and wriggle room for others”. She added that her inbox was “rammed” with emails from constituents.
Craig Whittaker
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley since 2010, said he agreed with his colleagues that Mr Cummings' position was “untenable”.
Writing on Twitter, he said that the PM’s adviser should “take responsibility” for his actions.
Julian Sturdy
York Outer MP Julian Sturdy posted a substantive statement on Twitter, insisting that “the PM needs to publicly address the situation without delay”.
He too said he’d been contacted by constituents about Mr Cummings and agreed that his position “is no longer tenable”.
Paul Maynard
Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, took to social media to say he shared the “collective dismay” regarding Mr Cummings.
He accused the senior aide of a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude, adding that “ it is not as if he was unfamiliar with guidance he himself helped draw up”.
Jason McCartney
Jason McCartney, who regained his Colne Valley seat in the 2019 election having lost it two years prior, decided to share his position on Facebook.
In a hefty post, he wrote: “I fully acknowledge that the perceived hypocrisy of the rule-makers potentially threatens the success of any future measures we may need to introduce if there is a second wave of Coronoavirus here in the UK.
“We must have confidence that we are doing the right things for the right reasons and that we are all truly in it together. For that reason, I believe Mr Cummings’ position is now untenable.”
Tim Loughton
Another Facebook statement, this time from former minister Tim Loughton. In nearly 800 words, he concluded that “the position of Dominic Cummings is untenable as the chief adviser to the Government and he must resign or be removed”.
But, he added that it was a “great pity” to see Mr Cummings go, as he “has contributed so much to Government in various forms”.
Sir Robert Syms
Poole MP Sir Robert Syms wrote on Twitter that “whatever the merits” of an advisor “they should never be the story”. With the next steps of lockdown set to be announced soon, he said Mr Cummings “detracts from the central message”. He concluded: “The advisor should go.”
James Gray
According to Joe Pike, political correspondent for Sky News, Wiltshire MP James Gray is among those calling for Dominic Cummings to go.
In an email to a constituent, he reportedly said: “Having him continuing at the heart of Government undermines our credibility and the strength of our message.”
Robert Goodwill
Joe Pike also revealed that former minister Robert Goodwill was telling constituents that he wanted Mr Cummings out.
In a leaked email, the Whitby and Scarborough MP said that the senior aide’s “position is untenable and he should be relieved of his post”.
The Scarborough News also reports that Ms Goodwill believes Mr Cummings should be removed from his post.
Martin Vickers
Appearing on Sky News on Monday morning, Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers said Mr Cummings’ actions "undermine" the key government message and that he "should have done the decent thing and stood down".
Andrew Jones
According to the Harrogate Advisor, Andrew Jones wrote to his constituents saying that he believed Mr Cummings had “broken the guidelines which we were and are all expected to follow”.
He reportedly added: “For that reason I think that he should resign and if he does not do so then he should be dismissed.”
Mr Jones is yet to publicly confirm these views.
David Warburton
Writing on Twitter, Somerton and Frome MP David Warburton said that he “despises any baying pitchfork-led trials by social media”.
He did not go so far as to call for Mr Cummings' removal, but added that he was “unconvinced” by the PM’s Sunday night defence of his adviser.
William Wragg
William Wragg, chair of the PACAC select committee, did not initially state his position regarding Mr Cummings' drive to Durham - but he did retweet Steve Baker’s tweet calling for him to go.
The Hazel Grove MP then tweeted on Tuesday that it was "humiliating and degrading" to see ministers defend a senior advisor.
Peter Aldous
Writing on Twitter, Peter Aldous said he had initially been “sympathetic” to Mr Cummings' position, but said he had now “revised his opinion”.
In a five-tweet thread, he concluded: “The Government should recognise what families have gone through and what people are thinking and saying.
“It is thus important that Dominic Cummings should now stand down.”
Robert Halfon
Senior Tory MP Robert Halfon initially shared his support for Mr Cummings.
He tweeted: “I'll couple drive 260+ miles to ensure that their small child can be looked after properly. In some quarters this is regarded as the crime of the century. Is this really the kind of country we are?”
But, in a subsequent post on Facebook, the Harlow MP doubled back on that view, saying that he did not "condone" Mr Cummings' action.
He wrote: "I would first like to make it clear to residents that I regret writing the tweet yesterday in the way I did about the Number 10 political adviser and his movements.
"I am really sorry for it. I do not support, or condone anyone who has broken the law or regulations. Anyone who has done so should face the consequences."
Robert Largan
Robert Largan, who gained his High Peak seat from Labour in the 2019 General Election, shared a statement on the situation on Facebook.
He wrote: "We can’t have a position where it is one rule for the public and another for politicians.
"If all the reports about Dominic Cummings are true, then I believe his position is untenable and he should resign."
But, the newly-elected Tory added that he didn't "want to rush to judgement based on incomplete information".
Bob Stewart
In a post on Facebook, former army officer and Beckenham MP Bob Stewart set out his position on Dominic Cummings.
He said he found the excuses put forward by the PM's SpAd "weak" and that his actions were "hardly an example to the rest of us".
Mr Stewart added: "The truth is that, whether Mr Cummings broke or didn't do the right thing, he certainly destroyed the spirit of the rules by what he did... I am afraid I believe his position is thus untenable."
Dehenna Davison
Dehenna Davison, who won the former Red Wall seat of Bishop Auckland in the 2019 General Election, shared a statement on the matter on Twitter.
She said she "sincerely hope[s]" that reports of Mr Cummings travelling to Barnard Castle are "not true".
Ms Davison added that she would hold her judgement until "we have all the facts", but that "if rules have been broken, appropriate action should be taken".
John Stevenson
Writing on Twitter, John Stevenson stated his view that "in the interests of the country Mr Cummings should resign".
"People in positions of power have added responsibility", the Carlisle MP explained," Mr Cummings holds such a position."
Michael Fabricant
The Lichfield MP cautiously condemned Mr Cummings in a blog post on his website. He made clear that "it is not clear [Dominic Cummings] has broken the rules."
But, he added: "If there were undeniable evidence that he did not maintain the quarantine and so endangered others, he should, of course, be immediately sacked and face possible prosecution."
Douglas Ross
Junior minister Douglas Ross has quit his role, saying he cannot tell voters they “were all wrong and one senior adviser to the Government was right”.
The MP for Moray, who became a minister in the Scotland Office in the wake of Boris Johnson’s election victory last year, said “events over the last few days mean I can no longer serve as a member of this government”.
Read the full story here.
Duncan Baker
In a statement shared on Twitter, the North Norfolk MP said that the issue of Dominic Cummings' lockdown breach went "beyond politics".
Duncan Baker said: "It is my view that he broke the spirit - if not the letter - of the guidance designed to limit the spread of coronavirus."
He concluded that Mr Cummings' should be "reprimanded", but did not openly call for his resignation.
Simon Jupp
East Devon MP Simon Jupp, who gained his seat in the 2019 General Election, stated on Facebook that he felt a "mixture of anger, disappointment and frustration" over the Cummings saga.
He said: "Although I believe his actions were motivated by a father’s desire to do what he felt was necessary to protect his family in exceptional circumstances if placed in the same situation I wouldn’t have made the same decisions and would have since considered my position."
Harriett Baldwin
Former minister and West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has apparently called for Mr Cummings to resign, stating that members of the government and advisors should be “subject to a higher bar”, the BBC reports.
A constituent also shared a letter she claims is from the MP, in which she said: "I cannot say if I would have given the same exceptional advice to [Dominic Cummings]."
Mark Pawsey
In a post on his website, Rugby and Bulkington MP Mark Pawsey revealed the letter he would be sending to constituents regarding Mr Cummings.
It reads: "I believe that it is wrong that Mr Cummings remains in an important post in Government.
"I had hoped he that would tender his resignation of his own accord.
"As he has failed to do so, I now believe it is right for the Prime Minister to ask for his resignation."
Mark Harper
Former Chief Whip and ex-minister Mark Harper posted a substantive statement on Twitter in which he said: "Mr Cummings should have offered to resign and the Prime Minister should have accepted his resignation.
The Forst of Dean MP continued that "politics is a team effort, not an individual one" and that "difficult times ahead" require "clear and credible public health messages" from the government.
Philip Davies
According to the Telegraph and Argus, Shipley MP Philip Davies has called on Dominic Cummings to "do the honourable thing and resign his position".
In his statement, he added that the PM's senior adviser "no longer has the trust of the overwhelming majority of the public".
And, though it was "admirable" of Boris Johnson to stand by his adviser, Mr Cummings should "repay that loyalty" by resigning, Mr Davies concluded.
Stephen Hammond
In a statement shared on his website, Stephen Hammond said: "I share much of the confusion and anger that so many constituents have expressed. I would have not made the decisions that he did."
The Wimbledon MP said he believed Mr Cummings should leave his role, but conceded that it is "the Prime Minister’s decision who he employs as a Special Adviser".
Jeremy Wright
In an 1100 word statement, Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright concluded that "it would be better for Mr Cummings to leave his position at Downing Street".
Writing on his website, the former Attorney General said he feared the SpAd's actions may "undermine the Government’s central objective" in tackling coronavirus.
Alec Shelbrooke
In an email to a constituent, Elmet and Rothwell MP Alex Shelbrooke reportedly said he "initially understood" Mr Cummings' situation.
But he added that, following yesterday's public statement, he no longer believed that the senior adviser's trip to Barnard Castle was "justifiable".
"For that reason, I think his position is untenable," Mr Shelbrooke concluded.
The Yorkshire MP has yet to publicly state his position on the matter.
Elliot Colburn
As well as publishing a statement on his website, Elliot Colburn also revealed he had written to Boris Johnson on Sunday night calling on him to remove Mr Cummings.
In the letter to the PM, Mr Colburn said he could "sympathise" with the situation.
But he added: "What is abundantly clear... is that Mr Cummings’ interpretation of the guidance is not shared by many others in my constituency, nor indeed across the country."
This first letter was followed up by another on Tuesday, in which the Carshalton and Wallington MP urged the PM to ask for Mr Cummings' resignation or remove him from Government.
Andrew Percy
According to Sam Coates from Sky News, Andrew Percy has written to constituents to say he believes Mr Cummings should resign.
He has not publicly stated his position on the matter.
Stephen Metcalfe
In correspondence with constituents, revealed by Business Insider's Adam Payne, Stephen Metcalfe said Mr Cummings should resign "to restore faith in the rules and to allow us to move on".
The MP, who represents South Basildon and East Thurrock, has not publicly confirmed his views on the matter.
Jackie Doyle-Price
Writing on Facebook, former minister Jackie Doyle-Price said she had "witnessed with dismay as the Government machine has sought to defend Mr Cummings".
The Thurrock MP continued: "Frankly this has been a very embarrassing episode for the Government. To bring this sorry chapter to an end I am afraid Mr Cummings has to go."
Sir Bob Neill
Veteran MP Sir Bob Neil, who chairs the justice select committee, wrote on his website that he believed Mr Cummings must go.
The Bromley and Chislehurst MP said that "to avoid future distractions from our common message and purpose, I believe that Mr Cummings should now step down from his post".
Mark Garnier
Wyre Forst MP Mark Garnier told BBC Hereford and Worcester that he believes Mr Cummings should resign, adding that he had received over 300 letters and emails about the issue.
Fiona Bruce
In a statement, shared by BBC reporter Phil McCann, Congleton MP Fiona Bruce said that constituents are "entitled to feel badly let down" by the row of the PM's adviser.
She stated that she "cannot condone what he did, nor accept that his interpretation of the guidelines was reasonable".
Ms Bruce did not comment on Mr Cummings' position, adding only that she had communicated these concerns to "the highest level of government".
Anthony Magnall
Anthony Magnall, who has represented Totnes since the 2019 General Election, posted a full statement on Facebook.
He said: "The anger and dissatisfaction at Mr Cummings' behaviour is no surprise at all."
Once a Spad himself, Mr Magnall did not openly call for Mr Cummings' resignation.
But, he did add that "spending time defending an adviser is not a good use of time".
Jeremy Hunt
Senior Tory Jeremy Hunt - current chair of the health select committee and formerly the UK's longest-serving health secretary - was among those condemning Mr Cummings.
He told constituents that he believed "what [Mr Cummings] did was a clear breach of the lockdown rules".
But, the Surrey MP made clear he was not calling for the senior adviser's resignation.
He added: "As someone who has been at the centre of media storms with a young family I know you do make mistakes in these situations."
Laurence Robertson
In a letter to constituents, Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson shared his difficult experience of being unable to visit his dying father.
According to The Mirror, he wrote: “Like many others, I have found the rules to be personally heart-wrenching.
“On 5th May, my father died of Coronavirus and the pain and guilt of my being unable to visit him as he fought for his life will haunt me for the rest of my days."
Mr Robertson said he had been "urging" the Prime Minister to "dismiss Mr Cummings without further delay".
He also reiterated his view in a blog post on his website.
UPDATE: This article was amended on May 26 to make clear that Robert Halfon had not deleted his initial tweet on the row.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
