Carlaw backing MP’s decision to step down

Scottish Conservative leader backs move by Ross Thomson and announces new candidate

Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said he supports the decision of Ross Thomson to step down, adding he does not think it will harm his party’s electoral prospects.

Mr Thomson announced he would not stand in the general election on December 12 after Labour MP Paul Sweeney made public allegations he had “groped” him in a Westminster bar.

At a campaign event in Hamilton yesterday Mr Carlaw said the party would field Aberdeen City Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden in the Aberdeen South seat Mr Thomson won in 2017.

Mr Thomson described the claims as “defamatory” in a statement released at the weekend.

He said he was the victim of a “political smear” and would fight to clear his name but would not be seeking re-election.

Mr Carlaw said: “I’m sorry that Ross has stood down. I’ve known him for many years. This was a decision he reached entirely of his own account.

“None of us expected this general election. The House of Commons inquiry into these allegations has not yet finalised and I think that Ross felt that it was too much of a distraction for him to become a huge story.

“I support him in that decision. We’ve now selected a new candidate in Aberdeen South.”

The Scottish Tory leader was on the campaign trail with newly announced candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East Shona Haslam, joined by MSPs Jamie Greene, Annie Wells and Graeme Simpson.

At an earlier campaign event yesterday SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said it was right for Mr Thomson to stand aside.

She told the PA news agency: “It’s not for me to judge the veracity of those allegations.

“I know there are investigations under way but I think in all of the circumstances I think it’s probably better that Ross Thomson is not a candidate in this election.”

The Scottish Tory leader felt the allegations against Mr Thomson would not harm his party’s chances in the north-east seat.

He said: “I was out there campaigning a few weeks ago because there just so happens to be a council by-election in that seat.

“Our national message is certainly one that resonates there.”

Mr Lumsden said he was “honoured” to have been selected as the candidate for the seat.

He added: “I want to first pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of Ross Thomson over the past two years.

“He has made a personal decision to step down, but he has always been a great champion for this city.”

This was a decision he reached entirely of his own account. JACKSON CARLAW

Pictures: PA/Getty.