Douglas Ross skipped a local VJ (Victory in Japan) commemoration service in Forres, part of his Westminster constituency, in order to wave a flag at Kilmarnock and pick up a near £1000 payment covering his match fee and expenses.
The newly installed leader of the Scottish Tories has stuck closely to his highly lucrative second income despite the increasing demands of his political career.
With the nation in the midst of a global pandemic and the economy in the biggest recession ever known Ross has repeatedly shown that maintaining his SFA role is far more important than any form of national service.
As his constituents and others from across the Highlands paid their respects in Forres for VJ Day the local MP was 193 miles away in Kilmarnock for the visit of St Johnstone on SPFL Premiership duty. Assistant referees pick up a £445 match fee at Premiership matches plus very generous expenses including mileage.
Last Sunday Ross was on duty at Ibrox for the visit of St Mirren which seems a favoured venue for the Elgin based official.
Covering his decision to avoid the VJ Commemoration the Daily Record got reaction from some politicians.
Labour MSP Neil Findlay said: “This is absolutely extraordinary. Douglas Ross shows where his true priorities lie, not in paying respects to those who died for our freedom and democracy but lining his pocket running the line at a football match. This shows his appalling judgment and, frankly, his arrogance too.
An SNP source said: “Douglas Ross’s decision to dodge the VJ Day service in his local community is an insult to the memories of all those men who laid down their lives for the freedoms he enjoys today.
“Just 10 days into his new job as Boris Johnson’s Scottish puppet, Douglas Ross has exposed his own seriously flawed judgment for all to see. To choose a game of football over paying his respects to his fallen countrymen tells you everything you need to know – Douglas Ross’s top priority will always be Douglas Ross.”
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer said: “Douglas Ross has shown time and again that serving his constituents will always come second to his refereeing gig. He missed crucial votes when he was an MSP and as an MP, including during his time in Boris Johnson’s government.
“It seems incredible that someone who clearly has so little interest in his day job would want to take on more responsibilities as party leader. Then again, when you look at the number of Tory MPs and MSPs raking in the cash from work outside of Parliament, you realise they’re pretty much all as bad as each other.”
Since December 2016 Celtic have been at Ibrox seven times with Ross on the line for four of those matches.
December 2016- Celtic win 2-1 Dembele and Sinclair score
March 2018- Celtic win 3-2, Simunovic Red Card Red Card
December 2018- Celtic lose 1-0 as Morelos attacks Brown, Christie and Ralston
May 2019- Celtic lose 2-0 as Flanagan elbows Brown in the face