Douglas Ross, facing mounting internal pressure for his various roles within the party and new charges of inappropriate expenses claims, announced that he would step down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives on July 4.
Ross also said in the unexpected Monday morning declaration that, should he win the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency in the Westminster election, he would resign from his position as an MSP at Holyrood.
His decision to serve as an MP at Westminster and an MSP at Holyrood in northeastern seats, while continuing to work as a part-time match official for the Scottish FA, has drawn criticism from political rivals who frequently make fun of him for having “three jobs.”
Growing dissatisfaction within his own party reached a boiling point last week when Ross declared he would run for Westminster again, this time in a crucial seat targeted by the Scottish National party. He had put himself up after the party had excluded the expected candidate, who is recuperating from a spine injury.
Following the development of “serious health issues” for former Scotland office minister David Duguid, who was supposed to take over that position, Ross said he had made the decision to “lead from the front.”
Duguid responded that he was “very saddened” by the party’s management board’s decision, claiming that they had made it without consulting him “or receiving any professional medical prognosis,” despite his insistence that he was healthy enough to run for office.
The board declared that it owed it to its candidates’ health to take reasonable precautions. This is not “an insurance option” for Ross’s future career, he denied.
Local party members were incensed at the choice and Ross’s decision to replace Duguid immediately, while the opposition in Holyrood referred to it as “tawdry” and “a betrayal.”
“I have served as MP, MSP, and leader for over three years now, and I believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible,” Ross stated in his statement released on Monday morning.
“My party has the potential to defeat the SNP in important seats throughout Scotland, such as Aberdeenshire North and Moray East,” he continued. Now is the time for us to unite and give that our entire attention.
A Tory whistleblower reportedly told the Sunday Mail that Ross had filed 28 parliamentary expense claims related to his football refereeing duties. In the meantime, the SNP is demanding that Ross personally address Holyrood regarding his spending.
Ross stated that he has “no issue” with the costs being reviewed again because they were cleared by the independent parliamentary authority, Ipsa.
Prior to Ross’s resignation announcement on Monday, the leader of the SNP, John Swinney, stated that the reports amounted to a “potential misuse of public funds,” and Stewart Hosie, the campaign director for the party, urged the leader of the Tory party to give an urgent statement to the Scottish parliament.
According to a Sunday Mail source, Ross had submitted 28 parliamentary expense claims for his football officiating work. The leak came from a Tory whistleblower. Meanwhile, the SNP is insisting that Ross personally come to Holyrood to answer questions about his expenditure.
Ross declared that since the costs were approved by Ipsa, the independent parliamentary authority, he had “no issue” with them being examined once more.
Before the SNP leader, John Swinney, announced Ross’s resignation on Monday, he said the reports amounted to a “potential misuse of public funds,” and the party’s campaign director, Stewart Hosie, urged the leader of the Tory party to make an immediate statement to the Scottish parliament.
