Graham Leadbitter MP has said outgoing Scottish Tory leader, Douglas Ross, “should resign” if his heart isn’t at Holyrood, accusing the Highlands and Islands MSP of putting “naked self interest before constituency interests”.
It comes as reports revealed Ross held secret talks with the Tories’ candidate in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Kathleen Robertson, in 2023 in a plot to retain his seat at Westminster – despite his previous promise to stand down from Westminster to focus on leading his party in Holyrood.
Eventually, Mr Ross stood for the neighbouring constituency of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East in the general election, forcing aside the incumbent MP, David Duguid who was seriously ill at the time, before losing to the SNP.
Commenting, Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP, Graham Leadbitter said:
“If Douglas Ross’ heart isn’t in Holyrood he should resign.
“His bid to retain a seat at Westminster included a specific promise he would resign as an MSP if he was successful – it’s clear he’s neither happy nor focussed on the job at Holyrood.
“And nor should a job as an MSP ever be seen as second best or as simply a back-up.
“This sorry saga has, again, put the Tories’ contempt for Scotland’s Parliament under the spotlight.
“People across the Highlands and Islands deserve an MSP who is working for them, not one who’s putting naked self interest before constituency interests.
“Secret plots and Tory internal drama is so far down the list of priorities for people in this constituency, especially when they revolve around which of Douglas Ross’ numerous jobs he decides one moment he wants to keep.
“SNP MPs and MSPs in this area are getting on with the job of standing up for people on the issues that really matter to them – in stark contrast to whatever the Tories are doing.”
