Scots Tory leader-elect will be his ‘own man’ Odey charged with sex attack

THE clear front-runner to become the next Scottish Tories leader has pledged to be his own man if he is chosen to lead the fightback against the SNP.

Douglas Ross, the former Scotland Office minister who was the only member of government to resign over the Dominic Cummings lockdown scandal, said while he maintained a good working relationship with Boris Johnson he would “not just agree with what

I’m told to agree with”. The Moray MP is on course to be installed as the Scottish Conservatives leader by Wednesday, following Jackson Carlaw’s departure on Thursday.

It comes as opinion polls show Nicola Sturgeon on course to win a clear majority at next May’s Holyrood elections, which would lead to new calls on No10 to grant a second independence referendum.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Ross said: “I think I’ve shown throughout my time in politics, as a councillor, an MSP and an MP, that I can think independently and not just agree with what I’m told to agree with.

“The situation of resigning from government was not an easy decision for me to come to, but I thought it was the right thing to do at the time.”

He said he would “absolutely” be his own man, suggesting he would be prepared to defy Downing Street in the same way that Ruth Davidson did.

Ms Davidson, who it was yesterday announced would be awarded a peerage, is backing Mr Ross.

Michael O’dwyer

CRISPIN ODEY, one of Britain’s most high profile hedge fund bosses, has been charged with indecently assaulting a woman more than two decades ago.

The Brexit donor, who founded and runs Odey Asset Management and has an estimated wealth of £825 million, was charged over an attack alleged to have taken place in Chelsea in 1998.

The attack is alleged to have happened at Swan Walk in west London, where Odey owns a home and several of his businesses are registered, the Evening Standard reported.

Mr Odey said: “The allegation is denied and I will strongly contest this matter.”

The case had been due to come before Westminster magistrates’ court next week but has been postponed until Sept 28 due to a backlog of hearings created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Odey, 61, has been charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 with a single offence.