Silence from Scots Tories over future of Johnson as PM

We asked every Conservative MSP and MP in Scotland to answer a simple question our readers have been asking.

Do you think Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister, yes or no?

We gave them 24 hours to think about it – just six responded, while 28 did not.

It follows the Sue Gray report, published last week, which criticised the culture and leadership in Downing Street.

There is growing belief in Westminster that it is only a matter of time before the target 54 letters from Conservative MPS needed to trigger a confidence vote are reached.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, is under pressure to call for the prime minister to resign.

He did make that demand in January – but then changed his mind.

Speaking last week, Mr Ross said Mr Johnson should stand down – but only when the war in Ukraine is over.

The public just want straight answers, so we put the question to every Scottish Conservative at Holyrood and Westminster.

We asked the Scottish Conservatives about the number of MSPS and MPS who failed to respond to our question on the prime minister’s future.

In response, a party spokesman offered this statement: “We are focused on the cost-of-living crisis and holding the SNP to account.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, says the prime minister has his “full support” as he tackles the cost-of-living crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In May, he said: “Lessons have been learned and changes have been made within No 10.”

Andrew Bowie, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP, declined to give a direct answer on whether Mr Johnson should resign.

But in a statement issued yesterday, he said he was “utterly appalled by the events that were confirmed to have taken place in the Sue Gray report”.

He added that the prime minister “must bear ultimate responsibility” for the events which “happened on his watch”.

A handful of Scottish MSPS have broken party ranks and called on the prime minister to go.

These include Brian Whittle, Douglas Lumsden, Liz Smith and Edward Mountain.

Others including Maurice Golden did not respond to our request for comment but previously said he believes Mr Johnson should step down.

Oliver Mundell – who did not respond to our question – told ITV Border that he was “keen to see the prime minister continue in office at the moment”.

SNP MP Mhairi Black said: “The silence from the spineless Scottish Tories over the repeated lawbreaking by Boris Johnson is deafening.

“Rather than doing the right thing and calling on the rule-breaking prime minister to resign following the Sue Gray report, the Scottish Tories have gone into hiding.

“By keeping quiet, they are showing the people of Scotland that they think Boris Johnson’s misconduct is acceptable and that they believe it’s one rule for them and another for the rest of us.”

SCRUTINY: MSPS and MPS are being reticent in coming forward when asked for their views on Boris Johnson’s future.