What you want to do in any kind of political crisis is get out in front of the story by being the first one responding, being utterly transparent with the most complete and accurate message you can muster and then try to move on. What you want to avoid is having unanswered questions left to linger, which promotes other actors taking further steps that may not be in alignment with your goals.

The problem with the political crisis now engulfing the UK government is that they broke all those rules. It was a holiday long week-end and they delayed answering until  Monday night after the story broke on Friday.

The answers, when they did come, failed to appear completely transparent. Those delivering the message  were left with a very small piece of real estate to stand on:  I did what I did, I acknowledge others may have responded differently but I’m not going to apologize. Thin gruel for citizens

who obeyed the lock down rules, missing important family events like a parent’s funeral.

And, now you have other ministers resigning.

It will keep going, because they’ve lost control and new events beyond their control will keep the story alive:

Minister for Scotland Douglas Ross quits as MPs press PM’s adviser to consider his position

Source: Tory revolt grows as minister resigns over Dominic Cummings’ lockdown trip | Politics | The Guardian