Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire Oliver Mundell has resigned as the party’s rural economy and tourism spokesperson after voting against the party whip at Holyrood.

Mr Mundell said, on behalf of his constituents, he was unable to support his party’s position on travel restrictions related to the Scottish Government’s coronavirus level system.

He said: “On this occasion it was sadly not possible to balance the very specific needs of my constituents with the need to take a collective view as a party that works for the whole country.”

However, some of his constituents have said that his decision and his comments were “potentially dangerous” and that they did not represent their views.

One concerned reader said: “Oliver Mundell resigns from the Shadow Scottish Cabinet because of the “very specific needs of his constituents”. As one of those constituents, I am struggling to identify what these needs could possibly be?

“The need to travel to a high-COVID area to have a meal or do some shopping? The need for people from high-COVID areas to come to Dumfriesshire to do likewise?

“Essentially, Mr Mundell seems to be arguing for the right of his constituents to risk their lives and the lives of others.”

Another reader said: "As one of his constituents, I am both confused and concerned by the reason Oliver Mundell gave for resigning his position as Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and Tourism.

"He reportedly said he could not support the recent Covid-related travel restrictions as being “in the best interests” of his constituents. The clear implication of this is that he believes there should be no hindrances to people travelling to and from Dumfriesshire.

"If this is the case, I find his position not only irresponsible but potentially dangerous in terms of spreading the Coronavirus and I can only imagine how our hard-working NHS doctors and nurses feel about this."

Mr Mundell reponded: “On an issue like this it is impossible to represent everyone’s views but I have been contacted by a large number of constituents in recent weeks and over the weekend who are pleased I was willing to speak out. Ultimately everyone will have a chance to have their say on my record as local MSP at the election in May.

“After all these months of telling people what they can and cannot do, I believe that most people are able to decide for themselves what constitutes essential travel and that introducing a legal ban is disproportionate and unnecessary.

"For me, I would far rather people judged me on my honestly held views rather than just saying what I thought people wanted to hear. On this issue I still believe I have taken the right decision for the right reasons, and I hope that even if people disagree they will respect the fact I was willing to break my party whip and put local interests first.

"After all these months of telling people what they can and cannot do, I believe that most people are able to decide for themselves what constitutes essential travel and that introducing a legal ban is disproportionate and unnecessary. 

"Rather than using the criminal law on a blanket basis I would rather we had given the police the powers and resources to challenge those who are behaving recklessly and who have shown no signs of caring for others. Instead we have gone with something that the police say can’t be enforced and which leaves my constituents who want to do the right thing looking over their shoulders and feeling anxious about doing things that are well within the rules like food shopping and caring for relatives.”