DOUGLAS Ross is again facing accusations of being eclipsed in his party’s Holyrood campaign by a colleague who isn’t even standing for election.
Ruth Davidson fronted the party’s new political broadcast, despite Ross acknowledging earlier this week that voters wanted to hear from Holyrood candidates.
The Scottish Tory chief does feature in the TV ad, but only towards the end. Davidson, who presents the video for most of its runtime, will soon depart for the House of Lords.
It comes just days after Ross was accused of being “relegated to the subs bench” as Davidson, who has featured heavily on campaign literature, was summoned to issue a rallying cry to Tories following disappointing poll results.
And earlier today, the Moray MP admitted Boris Johnson might not visit Scotland during the election campaign – prompting claims the Tories are "running scared".
READ MORE: Tories running scared of voters as Boris Johnson is 'kept away' from Scotland
SNP depute leader Keith Brown commented: “Running scared of the people of Scotland is becoming a theme within the Tories, with Baroness Davidson herself running away from accountability and scrutiny as she heads off to take up her £300-a-day job in the unelected House of Lords.
"For Douglas Ross, this campaign goes from bad to worse. First, he got punted to the side-lines on their leaflets, then he was a sideshow in their party broadcasts and now Boris Johnson can’t even bring himself to support the campaign.
“All while the Tories continue to tank in the polls.”
YOU can stop another divisive independence referendum – but ONLY if you give your party list vote to the Scottish Conservatives.
— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) April 7, 2021
Watch our latest PPB and together let's stop an SNP majority, just like we did in 2016👇 pic.twitter.com/v0moZgr8uq
Scottish LibDem campaign chair Alistair Carmichael MP added: "Despite Douglas Ross having switched positions to back Boris Johnson's Brexit, he's not even being rewarded with a photocall.
"First he couldn't get his priorities into a Conservative budget, now he can't even get the Prime Minister to stand next to him.
"It looks like even the Prime Minister finds Douglas Ross too dark and divisive. Previous Scottish Conservative leaders have been replaced for far less than this."
READ MORE: Douglas Ross denies he is being sidelined in favour of Ruth Davidson
The Scottish Tory leader has already been forced to deny this week that he is being eclipsed by Davidson.
He said: “Ruth is one of the most successful politicians in Scottish politics, and she rightly plays a key role in our campaign going forward.
“It’s my team, my manifesto, my policies and I’m delighted Ruth is a strong, integral part of that team.”
The Moray MP insists he is in charge of campaigning, not the Westminster Conservative Party.
He continued: "I think what people want to hear over the course of the campaign is what those who are seeking to be elected to the Scottish Parliament would actually deliver.”
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