Douglas Ross said that «on reflection» it was impossible to be both an MP and party leader. Photo: Rich Dyson/Alamy Live News/Alamy .telegraph.co.uk/bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837.html?direct=true&id=bc72b371-0215-4d99-b27b-4223678de837&template=articleRendererHTML' class='tmg-particle Sticky-nav 371-0215- 4d99-b27b-4223678de837' title='General Election' data-business-type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0'allow='web-share' style='width: 100% ; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: relative; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;'>
Douglas Ross has announced that he will step down as leader of the Scottish Tories after the general election due to a furious backlash within the party over his becoming an MP again.
Mr Ross said he believed it was possible to remain leader while serving as both an MP and MP, but realized it was «impossible».
Last week he was controversially selected as the Conservative candidate for North Aberdeenshire and East Moray in the upcoming general election, having previously vowed to stand down as an MP.
If he wins the Westminster seat on July 4, Mr Ross said he would also stand down as MP for the Highland and Islands regional list. He will automatically be replaced by another Tory at Holyrood.
His unusual announcement follows days of fury within the Scottish Tory ranks over his decision to contest the seat of North Aberdeenshire and East Moray.
David Duguid, a former minister, was chosen as the Conservative candidate but was dropped because the party cited concerns about his health.
Mr Duguid was hospitalized for two months with a serious spinal condition, but he strongly rejected the party's claim that he was too ill to stand.
'Terrible' treatment
The Tories insisted Ross was not involved in the decision to overturn Duguid's election and the new constituency received most of the former Ross's places in Moray.
But party insiders accused Ross of treating Duguid «absolutely appallingly» and said the move had raised questions about his commitment to Holyrood and the Scottish Tory leadership.
When Mr Ross was chosen to replace Jackson Carlaw as Scottish Tory leader in 2020, he promised to stand down as Scottish Tory MP at the next general election so he could focus on the 2026 Holyrood election and the fight to become First Minister.
The media campaign against Ross intensified over the weekend after allegations emerged that he used MP expenses to travel to work as a football linesman.
While he said he had «no problems» with Westminster authorities, the allegations have further intensified scrutiny of his decision to stand for office again as the claims are heard.
In a statement, Mr Ross said: “I have served as an MP, Member of Parliament and Leader of Parliament for over three years and believe that I would be able to continue in this position if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection I realize that this is not feasible.” .
“I intend to fight and win the North Aberdeenshire and East Moray constituencies. If I am to be given the honor of representing people and communities in this new seat, they should know that as their MP, I will have their full focus and focus.
“I will therefore step down as leader after the July 4 election once a successor has been elected. If I win the seat, I will also resign as an MP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative at Holyrood.
“My party has a chance of defeating the SNP in key seats across Scotland, including North Aberdeenshire and East Moray. Now we have to come together and focus entirely on doing just that.»
Campaign Disruption
Sources close to Mr Ross said the row over his election campaign was a «distraction» that threatened to derail the party's election campaign in Scotland. , where there is hope of making a profit.
They said a significant number of MPs were unhappy with his decision, and he was concerned that the information campaign against him would continue and would “overshadow” the campaign.
< In announcing he would step down as leader, they said Mr Ross hoped to "take the edge off the situation" and return political attention to the Tories' election battle against the SNP.
He will continue to lead the party's campaign north of the border and represent the Scottish Tories in televised debates, the latest of which will be hosted by the BBC on Tuesday night.
But they acknowledged he will now spend a significant portion of his time in North Aberdeenshire and East Moray to give him the best chance of success on the 4th of July.
Other senior Scottish Tories, including deputy leader Megan Gallagher and chairman Craig Hoy, are expected to pick up the slack and play a more prominent role in the party's election campaign.
The Prime Minister said he respected Mr. on Ross, adding: «I have enjoyed working with him during my time as Prime Minister, he has been a staunch supporter of the Union.»
Rishi Sunak told broadcasters: “He and I have worked together on two freeports for Scotland, attracting jobs and investment, opposing the SNP's misguided gender equality reforms, and being unashamed supporters of Scotland's North Sea energy industry, the only party to consistently did it.»
“So I think it's a track record that Douglas can be proud of and I enjoyed working with him, but I respect his decision.”
“Divided and chaotic”
Dame Jackie Bailey, deputy leader of Scottish Labor, said: “I wish Douglas Ross well for the future. It is clear that this divided and chaotic Tory party is out of time and out of ideas.
Voters know this rotten Tory government has nothing to offer Scotland — no wonder Douglas Ross has abandoned attempts to revive the flagging Scottish Tory campaign.»
Seamus Logan, SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, said: «Douglas Ross must resign as MP today.»
“He has clearly been forced to resign as leader of the Scottish Tories following his disgraceful behavior towards David Duguid and his growing expenses scandal. Voters deserve a dedicated MP — not one who hedges his bets if he loses an election.»
Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: «This is further evidence that the Conservative Party is in extreme disorder. Like the Scottish National Party, the Tories have been in power too long, breaking the rules and taking you for granted.»
Alex Salmond, leader of the Alba Party and former First Minister, said: “This is the first time a rat has left a sinking ship and tried to board a gravy boat at the same time.
Douglas Ross demands to resign as candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray Easy, where he stabbed David Duguid in the back. Ross is completely devoid of honor.»
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