Tory MP blows whistle on World Cup referee dream

A TORY MP lambasted for missing a Commons vote on benefits cuts while he officiated at a Champions League football match has said he will no longer help referee games that occur while Westminster is sitting.

Douglas Ross, the Moray MP, said the decision meant he could no longer officiate at the majority of international matches and his “dream” of representing Scotland as a linesman at next year’s World Cup in Russia is over.

He said he realised “the fury my last match caused” would be repeated every time he was appointed to a match when parliament was sitting.

Last week Theresa May was forced to defend Mr Ross for missing a debate and vote on welfare changes to officiate at the match between Barcelona and Olympiakos in Spain.