Douglas Ross has come under fire after missing a key vote on Scotland’s Housing Bill, choosing instead to referee a football match.
The Highlands MSP and former Scottish Conservative leader was absent from Holyrood as the bill passed into law, introducing measures to tackle homelessness, raise housing standards, and improve tenants’ rights.
Ross, who is also MP for Moray, was officiating a Championship fixture between Queen’s Park and Partick Thistle at the time of the vote.
The absence has sparked anger from political opponents, including SNP figures in both Holyrood and Westminster.
SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Graham Leadbitter, said:
“Douglas Ross has shown nothing but contempt for Scotland’s Parliament and the people he represents.
“If he doesn’t want to be in Parliament he should resign.”
SNP MSP George Adam also criticised Ross’s priorities, referencing comments Ross made earlier this year highlighting homelessness as one of Scotland’s biggest challenges.
“That Douglas Ross missed Scotland’s Housing Bill to referee a football match speaks volumes,” said Adam.
“In the summer, Douglas Ross said homelessness was one of the biggest issues facing Scotland, but it’s clearly not as important for him as Queen’s Park vs Partick Thistle.”
Adam also referenced reports earlier in the week that Ross had criticised the choice of pizza served to Conservative MSPs during a recent party meeting.
“This all comes after he was relegated by his own party colleagues for kicking up a fuss about the brand of pizza given to Tory MSPs,” he said.
“Douglas Ross should take a slice of the action here in Parliament and represent his constituents.”
Ross, who has faced criticism in the past for combining his roles as MP, MSP and professional football assistant referee, has not yet commented publicly on the missed vote.
