THE chairman of a constituency Tory association has quit over the behaviour of Downing Street aide Dominic Cummings.

Great Harwood councillor Patrick McGinley said the special adviser of Boris Johnson's 250 mile trip to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown would cost party votes.

The Overton ward representative added it could lead to more people contracting Covid-19 by ignoring government rules.

Cllr McGinley said: "Last week, I expressed concerns about Dominic Cummings.

"I said I could not act in the way he did."

He then referred to a national polls saying: "The statistics showed between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of mainly Tory voters disagreed with all Mr Cummings actions.

"The most alarming statistic was that 65 per cent felt his actions were far less likely to make them follow the lockdown rules.

"My concern was that some people might unnecessarily contract Covid-19. I pray this will not occur."

Cllr McGinley said: "I took over as chairman more that two years ago at a difficult time.

"The role is extremely time-consuming; demanding; and voluntary.

"I have worked hard to improve the local Tory group and I feel the time is now right to hand over the reigns to someone else. Change is necessary sometimes to introduce a different perspective."

Cllr McGinley will remain as a Conservative councillor and party member.

Cllr Marlene Haworth, acting leader of Hyndburn Council Conservative group, said: "I thank Patrick for his two years as association chairman He has done a brilliant and conscientious job.

"I have no comment to make about Dominic Cummings. We all have our personal views."