THE Conservative MP for Middlewich says residents are entitled to feel 'badly let down' by Dominic Cummings, having themselves 'endured enormous strain' in the pandemic.

Fiona Bruce has hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's most senior aide in a statement published on her website.

In it, she recognises the efforts of her constituents in staying at home and supporting each other, and suggests Mr Cummings did not act reasonably when travelling 260 miles and back between London and his parents' farm in Durham.

Mrs Bruce said: "I have not commented on Dominic Cummings' situation until now as I thought it fair to await the full facts and reflect.

"Having now done so my initial reaction remains – I cannot condone what he did, nor accept that his interpretation of the guidelines was reasonable.

"My constituents have gone to great lengths to stay at home during this crisis. Many have endured enormous strain, and in some cases, real suffering.

"They are entitled to feel badly let down by someone in leadership with an obligation to be an exemplar."

Mrs Bruce added that her own feelings, as well as 'the strength of feeling' in her mailbox from constituents, have been passed onto the 'highest level of Government'.

Her comments follow Monday's press conference, where Mr Cummings defended his decision to make the journey in lockdown by claiming his circumstances were 'exceptional' and therefore within the rules.

He told journalists at 10 Downing Street he feared no one would be able to care for his four-year-old son after his wife had fallen ill, while colleagues in the Government – including Boris Johnson – had contracted the coronavirus.

Some Conservative members of Cheshire East Council spoke out against his actions to the Knutsford Guardian yesterday – read their thoughts here.

What do you think? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk