Snubbed Tory hits out at cronyism as peer is appointed to MEP role

A Conservative peer has been appointed to take over the contested role as the party’s MEP in Scotland.

Baroness Nosheena Mobarik will take a leave of absence from the House of Lords to take up the seat vacated by Lord Ian Duncan.

But it prompted an angry response from Belinda Don, who was second on the Tory list, one place ahead of the peer, and believes she should have inherited the post.

“The rampant cronyism of Ruth [Davidson] and the leadership is staggering beyond belief,” Ms Don said after 0 Nosheena Mobarik takes over as new Conservative MEP yesterday’s decision. “This is a very sad day for Scottish democracy.”

Ms Don has warned previously that she may take legal action if not selected when Ms Davidson’s choice, Iain Mcgill, was originally tipped for the role. She confirmed yesterday this was still under consideration, but such a move “comes at huge expense”.

Lord Duncan was given a peerage to allow him to serve as a Scotland Office minister after losing out in the Perth and North Perthshire seat in June’s election.

Baroness Mobarik is a former chairwoman of CBI Scotland said it was a “great honour” to serve as an MEP. She said: “I am keen to get straight down to business by taking up a seat in the European Parliament immediately.”