Don’t blame it on the good times, blame it on the Dougie
Ross, meanwhile, dismissed rumours of a plot within the Conservatives to end his leadership in Scotland.
It came after reports his MSPs were already discussing options for his replacement in the wake of the poor result and his humiliating U-turn on demanding Boris Johnson’s resignation in response to the Partygate scandal.
Ross initially submitted a letter of no confidence to his party’s 1922 Committee but then withdrew it.
When asked about a plot to remove him, Ross said: “No one has spoken to me directly and that’s normally how these things work.
“I am determined to continue as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives because there is a lot of work we have to do to continue to fight the SNP.
“We need to stop their distraction of national politics on to their obsession about independence and deliver for the people of Scotland.
“I could have done better but, ultimately, a significant proportion of traditional Conservative voters have decided to register a protest.
“I take my share of responsibility but there is also a national picture which I think everyone understood and we were not immune from the criticism.”
Ross refused to rule out resubmitting his 1922 Committee letter should the Prime Minister be found to have knowingly misled Parliament.
He added: “The ministerial code is very clear. You can be accused of deliberately misleading Parliament.
“If you are found guilty, the Privileges Committee can suspend the member from Parliament.
“There is clearly no way the Prime
Minister could continue if they have been suspended by Parliament.
“But we are a long way from that point at the moment.”
The election also saw a record result for the Scottish Greens, who returned 35 councillors across 13 local authorities – an increase of 16.
The party has increased the size of its groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow, wit h bot h ci t ies electing 10 Green council lors, whi le there are now four Greens on the Highland Council.
The Lib Dems increased their countof councillors by 20 to 87.