Douglas Ross quits as Scottish Tory leader after double jobbing Westminster row

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has announced he will quit as party leader after the election.Ross, who has faced massive criticism of his decision to stand again for Westminster, will resign within weeks.He has also faced criticism over his expenses.He said: “I have served as MP, MSP and Leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible.“I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.

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 4th, 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.“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.”Ross, who has doubled up as an MSP and MP, promised not to stand again for Westminster, but u-turned last week.He nipped in for the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East candidacy after the party blocked ill David Duguid from standing.Duguid denied claims he is too ill to stand, fuelling claims of a stitch up.Ross then faced allegations he used the Westminster expenses scheme at the same time he was acting as a football linesman.This is a breaking news story - more to follow.