Johnson will stay away in run-up to May 6

Boris Johnson will not be travelling north to campaign with the Scottish Conservatives ahead of the Holyrood election.

Party leader Douglas Ross said he had spoken to the prime minister and did not expect to see him in Scotland before the vote.

The remarks followed doubts about Mr Johnson’s plans.

Mr Ross would not be drawn on whether Mr Johnson was staying away because he was viewed as an electoral liability, however.

He said: “He is absolutely behind our efforts here in Scotland to stop the SNP majority, to focus on recovery but, to answer your question, I don’t expect to see him before the election on May 6.”

Mr Ross was also asked about comments made by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, who described the Moray MP as a “dark” force in politics who undermines the unionist cause.

He said: “I can understand if you are the leader of the smallest political party in the Scottish Parliament you’ve got to seek to grab headlines some way.

“I’m going to focus on our positive, ambitious plans for the Scottish Parliament.”

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