A DAILY Mail article has led to further speculation that Douglas Ross's new role as Scottish Tory leader is a bid to get Ruth Davidson to revive the party.
After Jackson Carlaw quit as leader, Davidson denied there had been a “carve-up”.
But eyewitnesses have told us they spotted the soon-to-be-peer on the road outside Ross’s house on Sunday July 26.
READ MORE: Revealed: Davidson’s secret visit to Ross just days before Carlaw quit
The clandestine summit – and the fact that Ross met with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove in the same week – will only fuel speculation that Carlaw’s shock departure after less than six months in the post was anything but voluntary.
Davidson is also expected to replace Carlaw at PMQs.
READ MORE: Ruth Davidson expected to take over at FMQs after Jackson Carlaw quits
Now, a Daily Mail article written by Davidson and Ross has continued to fuel rumours that the Davidson is pulling the strings.
The article says the two politicians are "united in purpose" in defeating the SNP.
They write: "We have come together – one of us a former leader, and one now preparing to lead – to offer Scotland that vision of positive change for the future. United in purpose, we want to take on the SNP and take Scotland forward."
Nothing says "Douglas Ross is the new boss and is firmly in charge" like him not even being allowed to do an article on his own pic.twitter.com/7F1XoZBWT9
— Ross McCafferty (@RossMcCaff) August 6, 2020
The article insists there is "no rivalry" between the two Tories, adding: "We believe we have a lot to offer. Between us, we represent much of Scotland – one of us living in the Highlands, from an agricultural background; one of us in the Central Belt with a career in media.
"We are passionate about wanting to see our young children grow up in a country which is optimistic, exciting and united in nature. Nor, unlike most ‘joint tickets’, is there any rivalry between us: we know our roles as we think we can help each other."
The article goes on to say that the SNP won't necessarily win the 2021 Holyrood elections.
"While we respect the SNP as political opponents, and we are aware of their strengths, we do not fear taking them on," it says. "We know how to win. And we can make people a clear promise – we won’t be giving in."
A spokesperson for Davidson confirmed her visit to Ross, and said it had been “in a personal capacity”.
In the immediate aftermath one Holyrood backbencher claimed Carlaw had been “pushed” out by Downing Street.
Michelle Ballantyne told BBC Scotland’s The Nine: “He was there in parliament this afternoon. We got no warning, there was no conversation, we got a press release saying he was resigning – I’m sorry, he was pushed.”
She said while the push had been “coming from everywhere” she suspected “it was Westminster that pushed him”.
Ross later denied the claim.
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