Sick Tory MP deselected to make way for party leader

The leader of the Scottish Tories, Douglas Ross, has announced that he intends to run for Westminster after previously planning to concentrate on the Scottish parliament.

- DAVID MADDOX

But the U-turn has come with huge controversy after neighbouring Scottish Tory MP David Duguid was ruthlessly deselected by the Scottish Conservative management board at the last minute to make way for Mr Ross in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Mr Duguid, who was the MP for Banff and Buchan before the boundary changes, had recently had spinal surgery but was on course to make a full recovery. He had been readopted by his local party and told by doctors that he could campaign as long as he did not go door-knocking.

The saga is the latest in a series of selection-related rows that have affected both the Tories and Labour. On Wednesday, Tory members in the constituency of Basildon and Billericay were outraged at party chair Richard Holden being foisted on them on a one-man shortlist.

Last night it emerged that Mr Duguid had been informed that he was no longer the candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East and had been ditched by the party’s Scottish leadership at the final minute. This morning it was revealed that Mr Ross, who was previously the MP for Moray and had intended to step down from Westminster politics, will replace him.