TORIES IN TURMOIL AS ROSS QUITS

Douglas resigns amid row over expenses claims for flights to carry out referee duties | He already faced backlash over decision to stand for Westminster seat of ill colleague

- PAUL HUTCHEON

THE Scottish Tories have been plunged into chaos by the sudden resignation of leader Douglas Ross.

He was under pressure over an expenses row and his decision to stand for Westminster in the seat of an ill colleague.

SHAMED Douglas Ross has plunged the Tories into General Election chaos after resigning as leader in the middle of the campaign.

The embattled MSP had sparked a massive backlash from party colleagues over his decision to stand for Westminster again after an ill co-worker was brutally blocked.

He also faced a cash row at the weekend over claiming Westminster expenses for flights to carry out his duties as an assistant referee in Scottish football.

Yesterday, he quit as leader of the Scottish Tories – and faced calls to quit as a list MSP for the Highlands at Holyrood to stand for Westminster.

Ross admitted colleagues had told him over the weekend they were “uncomfortable” with his decision to stand for Westminster again.

Rivals lined up to put the boot into the triple-jobbing Conservative.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “Ross is just the first senior Tory to fall as a result of this election campaign.

“And I hope on July 4 there are many, many more to fall so we can finally get rid of this Tory government.”

Following Ross’s announcement, the SNP’s candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, Seamus Logan, called on him to resign immediately as an MSP.

He said: “It’s clear he’s been forced out as Scottish Tory leader after his shameful behaviour over David Duguid and his growing expenses scandal.