DUDLEY North MP Marco Longhi said Dominic Cummings used "common sense" when he travelled 260 miles from London to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.

Mr Longhi said Mr Cummings "used common sense to minimise risks, as a father of a sick child and husband of a sick wife" when he made the trip to be near relatives in the North East to self-isolate.

Critics say the government's lockdown message has been undermined by Mr Cummings' actions and have called for the Prime Minister to sack him or for the aide to resign.

In a press conference on Monday, Mr Cummings, Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, defended the trip, explaining that he believed he behaved “reasonably”.

He made the journey to self-isolate with his family - apparently because he feared that he and his wife would be left unable to care for their son - while official guidelines warned against long-distance journeys.

Mr Cummings also said his home had become a "target".

Responding to the crisis engulfing the government, Mr Longhi said: "Over the last few days I have received a great deal of correspondence from residents regarding Dominic Cummings and I am responding individually to everyone this week.

"I understand that Mr Cummings is not everybody’s cup of tea and it is clear to me that many emails I have received have not been individually written, but rather have been orchestrated ‘cut and paste’ emails from people who do not like him. This might be because he won the Brexit argument for the nation that some are still bitter about – this is obvious from the harassment of his wife and young son in London, and now of his parents in Durham.

"I am deeply concerned when somebody in public office and with a young child says that their home has "become a target". Whatever your politics, it is important to respect individuals and respect the privacy of their families who have not chosen to be in the public eye. The media too should pause and reflect on their behaviour.

"However, a large number of emails are from people who are genuinely concerned at the situation and I want you to know that initially I was very concerned too. I have waited to respond to most emails until I had heard all the facts, which I did yesterday.

"I wish Mr Cummings account had been given sooner. He gave a detailed account of events in a frank and honest way. In his circumstances, he used common sense to minimise risks, as a father of a sick child and husband of a sick wife, but within the rules."

Mr Longhi added: "We must all focus on fighting the disease and rebuilding our economy together for all. In doing so I want you to know that my team and I will always be there to support everyone – even if they might disagree with my views on Mr Cummings."

The Dudley North MP's comments come as Douglas Ross, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for Scotland, quit the Government on Tuesday, saying that he could not “in good faith” defend Mr Cummings’ actions.