Under fire Douglas Ross forced to step down as Tory leader

Douglas Ross has announced that he is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Tories following the July 4 Westminster election.

It puts in place the opportunity for a domino effect on his political career although he can count on the SFA for regular appointments with generous expenses that are self declared.

After years of declaring his loyalty to the Scottish party and his ambition to become First Minister he showed his true colours last week when he got neighbouring MP David Duguid deselected with Ross stepping in to what is thought to be a more like seat for the Tories to win.

That obvious statement of self interest shocked Tory MSP’s who had convinced themselves that their leader’s ambitions were centred on Holyrood.

Yesterday a Tory whistle-blower revealed to the Sunday Mail details of 28 dodgy expenses claims by Ross including charging Westminster expenses from his well paid hobby of waving flags at football matches.

With a storm within his own party growing Ross told BBC Scotland:

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 4 July, 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.

It seems that juggling three different jobs, all with generous expenses has caught up with Ross.

After a glut of Celtic appointments during the Lockdown season Ross has been used more sparingly in the last couple of seasons, against St Mirren in a Scottish Cup tie during the 22/23 season the Green Brigade unfurled a special banner for the chunky flag waver.