THE Scottish Tories have lost a member of their frontbench team after the coronavirus travel restrictions vote at Holyrood.
Oliver Mundell said he could not support the measures while faithfully representing his Dumfresshire constituents.
He said: “On this occasion it was sadly not possible to balance the very specific needs of my constituents with the need to take a collective view as a party that works for the whole country.
“I understand the difficult position that puts colleagues in and I have therefore regrettably offered Douglas Ross my resignation as a party spokesperson. I continue to fully support him and the party.”
Mundell had been the party's spokesperson for the rural economy and tourism.
He now joins the three other Scottish Tories who hold no party role outside being an MSP.
These are former party leader Jackson Carlaw, Tom Mason, and John Scott.
READ MORE: LISTEN: Oliver Mundell in absolute car-crash interview as he tries to defend PM
Ruth Davidson leads the Holyrood group, Adam Tomkins and Edward Mountain both hold positions as conveners of Holyrood committees, and all of the 24 other Tory MSPs are either a shadow minister or shadow cabinet secretary.
Ross said: “Oliver always puts the needs of his constituents first and while I’m very disappointed to see him leave the shadow cabinet, I appreciate that he is only doing what he feels is best for his local area.
“He has been a very capable member of the shadow cabinet and I thank him for all his work for the party. I know he will continue to be a great Scottish Conservative representative for Dumfriesshire.”
MSPs voted to support new Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland, including tougher measures in 11 council areas and a travel ban for the worst-hit areas, by 99 to 23.
The guidance which asked Scots to avoid travel into or out of Level 3 or Level 4 areas will now be put into law, with a £60 fine levied against those who break the rules.
The parliamentary debate was not to approve or reject the changes, but to express the support of the parliament for the regulations.
An amendment by the Conservatives, which was voted down by 71 votes to 51, called for the Scottish Government to publish evidence for the move into the highest level of restrictions.
Scottish Labour attempted to amend the Government motion to strip away the travel ban and push for mass testing and improvements to Test and Protect, but MSPs rejected the amendment by 99 to 22.
A Green amendment pushing the Scottish Government to improve support for self isolating people also passed unanimously.
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