Boris Johnson’s defence of his adviser, Dominic Cummings, has been branded an “insult to the sacrifices of the British people”.

As the Prime Minister backed his adviser and praised him for doing “what any father would do” Labour leader, Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson should have sacked him and Nicola Sturgeon said he had to go.

Glasgow Times:

Mr Johnson had said “I think he (Mr Cummings) followed the instincts of every father and every parent and I don’t mark him down for that.

READ MORE: Johnson backs Cummings

“I believe that in every respect he acted responsibly, legally and with integrity.”

Mr Starmer however, accused the government of double standards.

He said: “This was a test of the Prime Minister and he has failed it. It is an insult to sacrifices made by the British people that Boris Johnson has chosen to take no action against Dominic Cummings.

“The public will be forgiven for thinking there is one rule for the Prime Minister’s closest adviser and another for the British people.

“The Prime Minister’s actions have undermined confidence in his own public health message at this crucial time.”

The First Minister, Nicola Strugeon raised the episode of Cathering Calderwood, former chief medical officer, who broke lockdown to visit a second home in Fife.

Glasgow Times:

Ms Stureon intially backed Ms Calderwood but she resigned a few days later.

Nicola Sturgeon said “I know it is tough to lose a trusted adviser at the height of crisis, but when it’s a choice of that or integrity of vital public health advice, the latter must come first.”