The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Douglas Ross criticised over Travellers claim
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross claims he was “speaking on behalf of a constituent” when he said “we have to bend over backwards” for Travellers during his time as a councillor.
The comments, which were reported at the time, were unearthed by a report into racism directed towards members of the Travelling community.
Mr Ross has been criticised previously on his comments regarding Travellers.
When asked in 2017 what he would do if made “prime minister for a day”, the Moray MP said his number-one priority would be “tougher enforcement on Gypsy Travellers”.
Speaking to DC Thomson’s Election Hub Live last week, Mr Ross again apologised for his comments, adding “sometimes in quick-fire interviews you say things you normally would not have”.
“I’m disappointed and frustrated that we seem to have to continue to bend over backwards for this ethnic minority and that action doesn’t seem to be replicated by them,” he said.
“It does raise concerns that we are positively discriminating in favour of them at the disadvantage of the settled community,” he added.
Scottish Liberal Democrat convener and candidate for Moray, Sheila Ritchie, responded to the comments, which were unearthed by Open Democracy yesterday.
She said: “From the moment he announced that his first priority as prime minister would be “tougher enforcement against Gypsy Travellers” it’s been clear that Douglas
Ross is completely incapable of representing the overwhelming majority of Scots.
“I never thought I would hear the words Scotland and apartheid together.
“His proposals are an affront to people across the Highlands and Islands and Scotland as a whole.
“As the Scottish Conservatives retreat to a dark and dismal place, Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for human rights at home and abroad.”
Douglas Ross was ousted as planning committee convener for Moray Council and told The Sunday Post at the time he felt he was being “gagged”.
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives told this paper: “This historic comment was about a situation where a constituent suffered heavily financially, which Douglas felt was wrong, and he argued on his constituent’s behalf.”
The party had previously told Open Democracy Mr Ross’s comments were “false” and “do not accurately represent Douglas Ross’s work as a councillor, his time on the local planning committee, or his views”.