A LARGS and Millport councillor has come under fire after saying Boris Johnston's political adviser Dominic Cummings 'acted with integrity' despite flaunting lockdown laws.

Tom Marshall has publicly backed the Prime Minister's aide despite Largs-based Conservative MSP Jamie Greene, local political rivals and a senior church leader all calling for him to be removed from his post.

Cllr. Marshall told the News: "I tend to agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that Mr Cummings acted responsibly, legally and with integrity, however it was probably not the wisest thing to have done

"The attacks on Mr Cummings were in the main politically motivated by the left wing press who as Remainers intensely disliked him because he ran the successful Brexit campaign.

"I don’t believe that what he did will affect the lockdown situation in Scotland where people are already marching with their feet. In Largs on Monday where there were at least 12 bikers gathering on the seafront."

But fellow Tory Mr Greene has a different opinion.

He said: “The volume of correspondence in recent days is abundantly clear what the public mood is. The public are angry, as am I. For what it is worth, I have relayed this up the chain.

“Trust between people and their governments is vital.

“With regards to Mr Cumming’s position, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see how any other outcome will allow the narrative to move on from this unwanted distraction. My personal view is that given the distraction this whole episode has created, his position seems increasingly untenable.

"Each day I’m hearing of constituents whose family members are passing in our care homes, whose children are missing out on schooling and whose businesses are facing imminent closure. These are the issues that keep me awake at night."

SNP councillor Alan Hill said: "Dominic Cummings was completely and utterly irresponsible in his actions. His press conference was a mixture of half truths.

"It is disgraceful that elected politicians seek to try and muddy the waters. Tom Marshall should be ashamed."

Labour Cllr Alex Gallagher said: "Tom is entitled to his opinion but it is not backed up by the facts. Dominic Cummings is clearly a person who doesn't abide by the rules that he has written himself."

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "I am pleased that the anger and disappointment felt within even the Tory Party at the Prime Minister’s feeble defence of Mr Cummings has now spread to Mr Greene and I welcome his admission that Mr Cummings’ position is now untenable.

“If, even at this late stage, Mr Cummings does not resign he must now be sacked.”

Reverend Jonathan Fleming of St John's in Largs and Cumbrae Parish told the News that Cummings' behaviour could compromise local people's safety.

He said: "As someone who has conducted a number of funerals for people in the local area and having seen the pain of families not being able to see their loved ones in their dying hours and all the restrictions limiting numbers in funerals, I am disgusted.

"People need to be held account for their wrongdoing - and the Prime Minister has not done this.

"Dominic Cummings saw it fit to carry out a 260 mile trip to Durham and that type of example could encourage other people to make trips to local beauty spots and tourist towns like ours.

"He needs to apologise and step down."