Douglas Ross blasts Tory colleagues as 'calculating b*******' as civil war boils over
dailyrecord.co.ukScots Tory leader Douglas Ross has blasted senior party colleagues who brief against him as “calculating b*******”.Ross, who will be replaced soon as leader, fuelled a bitter civil war that is ripping the Conservatives apart.Six Tory MSPs have declared an interest to succeed Ross, with justice spokesman Russell Findlay the frontrunner.But the race has become dominated over claims of underhand behaviour and claims of favouritism.MSP Ross, who announced his intention to quit as leader during the general election, reportedly tried to replace Kathleen Robertson as Westminster candidate for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey candidate last year.He was also accused of backing Findlay as his successor during a conversation with Robertson.The claims led to four candidates - Murdo Fraser, Liam Kerr, Brian Whittle and Jamie Greene - signing a joint statement expressing concern about Ross.A fifth candidate, Meghan Gallacher, quit as deputy leader following the allegations, which Ross denies.In an interview at the Edinburgh Festival, Ross was asked if you had to be a “calculating b******” to be Tory leader.He replied: "I was going to say some of the ones that won't be leader of the Scottish Tories are calculating b*******.
But look, all politics is rough and tumble at times. You've got to be aware of what you're getting yourself into.”He said of the negative spinning against him: “I’ve known since I became leader that some people didn’t want me to become leader four years ago and throughout that time people have continued to hold that view, and for some that view will have strengthened.”Ross instead managed to secure the candidacy for another Westminster seat after claims party bosses stitched up sitting MP David Duguid.He went on to
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