New Scots Tory leader to look for seat in Holyrood

● Moray MP is now Scottish party chief after no opponent emerges

Douglas Ross insisted he will “stand up for Scotland” and not be led by the prime minister in decision making as he became the new Scottish Conservative leader.

The Moray MP was confirmed as party leader when he was the only candidate to put his name forward to replace Jackson Carlaw by yesterday’s noon deadline.

As he met the media at a photocall in Forres, Mr Ross outlined his plans to lead from Westminster for the time being, before standing for a Holyrood seat.

But despite taking on such an onerous new role, he has no plans to quit as a Scottish football assistant referee.

He also confirmed he will deliver a jobs plan within his first month as leader and will focus on the domestic agenda in Scotland.

Mr Ross said that while Ruth Davidson fills in at first ministers questions, he “will be very much present in Scotland, speaking with colleagues, bringing forward and developing policies”.

He added: “The policies will be mine that I develop with my team. Ruth is a crucial and integral part of the team but she is fully aware that the buck stops with me.”

Mr Ross, who resigned as a Scotland Office minister in May following Dominic Cummings’ trip to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown, said he was congratulated by the prime minister on his new role, but was not given advice.

He said: “We spoke about the challenges we face, the opportunities and my vision going forward.

“He’s fully aware that this is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, a part of the overall UK Conservative Party but it will be distinctive in our polices and our approach.

“I’ve shown from my resignation from the government that I won’t just accept what London or the UK party tells me. I’ll challenge issues and will stand up for Scotland.”

He also addressed the reintroduction of lockdown restrictions in Aberdeen after a rise in positive cases.

Mr Ross said it was important to take swift action after a “concerning” spike in cases, but the situation needs to be under constant review.

He said: “We have to ensure that we are protecting lives and protecting businesses during this difficult time.

“When you see the increase in cases, it’s absolutely important we do everything possible to stop the spread of this virus. So therefore I think that reintroducing the restrictions had to be done, but we need to review it.”

Mr Ross’s colleagues defended him after a tweet posted from an official SNP account claimed he had a “history of racist views”, following a statement from three years ago that if prime minister for the day he would impose tougher enforcement on Gyspy Travellers.

Mr Ross apologised and the tweet was removed.

He said yesterday: “If they think the best way to do that is to play the man rather than the ball then it’s more telling on them than it is on me.

“I won’t stoop to those personal attacks as the SNP has.”

Photograph by Jason Hedges FAMILY VALUES: Douglas Ross, appointed Scottish Conservative leader today, with wife Krystle and son Alistair.