Gypsy row Tory was warned 9 years ago
A TORY at the centre of a racism row was warned about his attitude towards gypsy travellers almost a decade ago.
Douglas Ross sparked outrage last week after saying his priority as PM would be to bring in “tougher enforcement against gypsy travellers”.
The newly elected MP apologised after he was criticised by various rights groups, including Amnesty International.
But it has now emerged Ross was reminded of his responsibilities to gypsy travellers in 2008 when he was a councillor in Moray.
He was among several councillors who travellers claimed appeared to be supporting moves to block access to their caravans on the Speyside Way.
Chief executive Alistair Keddie wrote to councillors after a complaint was lodged by the Gypsy/ Traveller Education Information Project over the conduct of members at a meeting.
Keddie said it could be interpreted that councillors were acting in a concerted manner to preclude gypsy travellers from accessing a traditional camp area.
In 2010, Ross appeared to compare a travellers’ site to a landfill tip.
He told a public meeting: “Given the people of Nether Dallachy already live next to the only landfill site in Moray, to now propose a travellers’ site is too much”
A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “This was a warning made to other councillors, not Douglas Ross, and demonstrates this has been a significant issue in the local area for some time.
“It is also interesting to note the most vocal critic of the complaint was an SNP councillor.”