Row as Tory MSP employs former Labour candidate

A FORMER Labour candidate who stood in the General Election against Alex Salmond has landed a job working for a Tory MSP, despite strong objections of party bosses.

Ross Thomson, who represents North East Scotland, defied senior Conservative figures who asked him to abandon plans to employ Braden Davy.

At the weekend, it emerged that Mr Davy had joined Ruth Davidson’s party, quitting Labour due to what he sees as a “weak” stance on Scottish independence and “patronising” approach to the EU.

He has been employed by Mr Thomson, one of four Conservatives to be elected through the North East list in May, for around three weeks, but his defection only emerged publicly as Labour began its annual conference.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “We don’t comment on internal matters, but can say there is no investigation into this appointment. MSPs are free to hire whoever they see fit to carry out their work.”

Mr Thomson and Mr Davy did not respond to phone calls from The Herald.