Douglas Ross has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Scottish Tories – and will also quit as an MSP if he is elected to Westminster in next month’s General Election.
In a statement released on Monday, the Tory said it was “not feasible” for him to continue be an MSP while also being an MP and party leader.
He said he had initially “believed” it would be possible for him to hold the three posts – as he has since he succeeded Jackson Carlaw as Scottish Conservative leader in 2020.
But Mr Ross added that “on reflection, that is not feasible”.
His statement came after the row over his decision to stand in the General Election in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat – which former Scotland Office minister David Duguid had hoped to contest.
But ill health meant the Scottish Conservative party management board ruled he could not run – with Mr Ross putting himself forward for the seat last week.
That decision came after a previous commitment from the Tory that he would step down from Westminster so he could focus on Holyrood and his role as party leader.
Mr Ross had also been facing claims that he had “serious” questions to answer over whether he used Westminster expenses to travel for his job as a football linesman.
Mr Ross stressed he was “committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency”.
He stated: “Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.
“I will, therefore, stand down as leader following the election on July 4, once a successor is elected.
“Should I win the seat, I will also stand down as an MSP to make way for another Scottish Conservative representative in Holyrood.”
He insisted: “My party has a chance to beat the SNP in key seats up and down Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East. We must now come together and fully focus on doing exactly that.”
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