THE Chairman of Central Devon Conservative Association, which includes a wide area including Crediton, North Tawton, Ashburton and Okehampton, has resigned from the Conservative Party because of what he describes as “the lack of a resignation” from the prime minister’s advisor, Dominic Cummings.

Councillor Rev Mike Davies, who has served as a West Devon Borough Councillor for five years, has said that the actions of Mr Cummings “undermined public trust and will now encourage people to break current and future rules”.

More than 35 Tory MPs have called for Mr Cummings to resign after his decision in March to drive 260 miles from his London home to his parents’ farm with his child and ill wife, which he explained on Monday was for childcare purposes.

Mr Cummings said he believed he had acted “reasonably” and within the law.

Mr Davies told the “Courier”: “Following Mr Cummings’ lack of foresight to resign because of the impact of his actions, the Prime Minister should now terminate Mr Cummings’ employment.

“Covid-19 needs to be controlled and as we have been constantly reminded, ‘Staying at home saves lives.’

“NHS staff, care-workers, school-teachers, and others have been under tremendous pressure to meet the consequences and challenges of this virus. Examples of disciple must be set at the highest levels of Government.

“Can you imagine the consequences if everyone decided, at the start of lockdown, to drive to the most convenient place in the country if they thought they might have some of the symptoms?

“Locally, Devon and Cornwall Police fined more than 800 people for breaking lockdown rules. In England and Wales over 13,000 fines were issued. Lockdown surely meant lockdown. We are now being told it was ‘guidance’.

“I have discussed my resignation with Mel Stride MP, and I have been pleased to serve and support him during my time as his Association Chairman.

“I appreciate that many Conservatives may not sympathise with me or share my convictions. However, from the concerns raised to me, as Association Chairman for Central Devon, in the days prior to my resignation I know that many do.”

West Devon Borough Council had held a Conservative majority of one and Cllr Davies’ resignation from the Conservative party means that West Devon is no longer a Conservative controlled council.

In his resignation letter, sent to Boris Johnson, he said: "In such a time of crisis, the government must lead with integrity and have the trust of the people.

"I believe this is now seriously found to be wanting."

As a result of Councillor Davies’ resignation, West Devon Borough Council has lost its Conservative majority.

Mr Davies is West Devon Borough Councillor for Okehampton North (first elected May 2015) and prior to that he was an Okehampton Town Councillor (since 2003). ?He was the Mayor of West Devon in 2018/19, and has been the Mayor of Okehampton twice previously. ?He is currently the Chairman of West Devon Borough Council’s Audit Committee. ?A part-time building surveyor, and part-time church pastor, Mr Davies was suspected to have had Covid-19 (was seen by two GPs) but this has yet to be tested to be confirmed. ??