What's happened
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross resigns amidst controversy over replacing a deselected colleague, facing backlash from backbenchers and accusations of misusing expenses. His decision to stand in a key seat led to his resignation just weeks before the general election.
Why it matters
Douglas Ross's resignation as Scottish Tory leader amid internal party turmoil and ethical concerns has significant implications for the upcoming general election and the future of the Scottish Conservatives. The leadership crisis highlights divisions within the party and raises questions about its strategy and unity.
What the papers say
According to The Scotsman, Douglas Ross faced backlash from backbenchers for his controversial actions, leading to his resignation. Sky News reported Ruth Davidson's comments suggesting Ross could have avoided resigning by not standing in the deselected colleague's seat.
How we got here
Douglas Ross's decision to replace David Duguid as the Tory candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East sparked controversy, as he had previously pledged to focus on his role as an MSP. The move exacerbated existing tensions within the Scottish Tories and raised concerns about Ross's leadership.
Common question
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Douglas Gordon Ross is a Scottish politician serving as Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party since 2020. He has served as Member of Parliament for Moray since 2017 and was previously a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands r
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David James Duguid is a Scottish Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan since June 2017. Duguid's victory marked the end of thirty years of SNP representation in the seat. Since June 2020, he has been the