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Douglas Ross has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Tories and will also quit as an MSP if he is elected to Westminster in next month’s general election.
In a statement released on Monday, the Tory said it was ‘not feasible’ for him to continue to be an MSP while also being an MP and party leader.
He said he had initially ‘believed’ it would be possible for him to hold the three posts as he has since he succeeded Jackson Carlaw as Scottish Conservative leader in 2020.
But Ross added that ‘on reflection, that is not feasible’.
His statement came after the row over his decision to stand in the General Election in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat which former Scotland Office minister David Duguid had hoped to contest.
But ill health meant the Scottish Conservative party management board ruled he could not run with Ross putting himself forward for the seat last week.
That decision came after a previous commitment from the Tory that he would step down from Westminster so he could focus on Holyrood and his role as party leader.
Ross had also been facing claims from the SNP that he had ‘serious’ questions to answer over whether he used Westminster expenses to travel for his job as a football linesman.
Ross stressed he was ‘committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency’.
He stated: ‘Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.
‘I will, therefore, stand down as leader following the election on July 4, once a successor is elected.
‘Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood.’
He insisted: ‘My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that.’
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said she wished Ross the ‘best of luck’ but added: ‘It’s clear that this divided and chaotic Tory party is out of time and out of ideas.
‘Voters know that this rotten Tory Government has nothing to offer Scotland it’s no wonder Douglas Ross has given up on trying to resuscitate the Scottish Tories’ flailing campaign.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed Ross’ decision was ‘yet more proof of a Conservative party in abject disarray’.
The Lib Dem said: ‘Just like the SNP, the Tories have been in power for too long, breaking rules and taking you for granted.
‘They aren’t focussed on what really matters like fast access to your GP, seeing an NHS dentist, tackling sewage dumping and lifting up Scottish education.
‘People all across Scotland have had enough. The Conservatives have got to go.’
By Katrine Bussey, PA Scotland Political Editor
Press Association: News
source: PA
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