DOUGLAS Ross refused to answer questions on why the UK Government has gone to court to challenge two new laws passed by Holyrood.

During last night’s STV leaders’ debate, the Scottish Tory leader was grilled by Nicola Sturgeon on why his party has referred to the supreme court two bills approved unanimously by Holyrood.

READ MORE: Douglas Ross defends Tories' court challenge to Scottish child rights bill

The Scottish Parliament passed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill and the European Charter of Local Self-government Bill in the weeks before it went into recess. Sturgeon said the decision by Westminster to challenge it was “morally repugnant”.

When pressed, Ross said that the UK Government agreed with the “principle” of the bill but would not explain what their “small, technical issues” were.

SNP leader Sturgeon asked what problem the UK Government had with section 6 of the bill.

Ross replied: “Section 6 is about powers that are reserved to ministers in Westminster and at a UK level and looking at them being adopted … ” 

The FM hit back: “They don’t want to be bound by section 6 which says ‘it is unlawful for a public authority to act in a way incompatible with the UN convention’ – that doesn’t sound technical, that’s pretty fundamental. 

“Look Douglas, why can’t you just say this is a devolved issue, it was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament, it’s about protection of the rights of children for goodness sake. Why can’t you just say to the UK Government, butt out you should not be challenging this decision in the Scottish Parliament, backed by the Scottish Tories, in court.”

Ross then repeated the line about supporting the bill in “principle” – to which Sturgeon asked: “So they want to challenge it in court?”

TV viewers were treated to strong performances from pro-independence party leaders Sturgeon and Patrick Harvie, who repeatedly questioned why their Unionist rivals didn’t want Scotland to have the chance to choose an independent future.

The National:

Ross also missed a step earlier in the debate when he claimed the secondary school which Sturgeon attended – Greenwood Academy in Ayr – was in her constituency in Glasgow’s southside. In an attempt to ask about school inspections, the gaffe bemused the FM, who pointed out that her niece goes to that school. 

The beleaguered Tory leader was also grilled by Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie over his comments made about Gypsy travellers in an interview.

Harvie described Ross’s comments and language as “divisive” against one of Scotland’s most marginalised communities and pointed out he had been campaigning against legal traveller sites for a decade.

Recently, an interview surfaced where Ross had said he was “having to bend over backwards for this ethnic minority”.

READ MORE: Douglas Ross: Comments on Travellers from Scottish Tory leader unearthed

Ross said: “I’ve apologised for the comments I made in the interview you have cited, they were wrong, it was the wrong answer to the question that was well put, there are far better answers that I could have answered with, there are so many other priorities that I should have answered with and I should have answered that and I apologise for that.”

However, Ross then tried to defend his actions by talking about how he would always defend constituents who came to him with complaints about issues such as the traveller community.

Harvie, who was a standout in the debate with his questions on climate change and challenges to the other leaders, pointed out that “the Gypsy travellers are your constituents too”.

Ross wasn’t the only party leader to have a bad night, with LibDem leader Willie Rennie admitting that his party’s plans to get back into the EU are to “persuade” people that it’s the right choice.

The National:

Asked by Sturgeon how he would implement a Universal Basic Income without powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament, Rennie replied: “Persuade the United Kingdom.”

A shocked Sturgeon responded: “Persuade Boris Johnson?”

To which Rennie replied: “Whoever is there, over time we persuade them of the merits of that.”

Nicola Sturgeon also made the case for independence and promised a vote after the Covid pandemic has passed.

In her opening statement she said: “The only sure way to get a re-elected SNP Government is to vote SNP with both votes. At stake is Scotland’s future. This election will determine, ultimately, who decides that future –those of us who live here or Westminster politicians like Boris Johnson.

“By giving both votes to the SNP, you will secure leadership through Covid, a plan for recovery and, when the crisis is over, the choice of a better future with independence.”

Patrick Harvie said in his closing remarks: “Our future is at stake ... it’s time to vote like our future depends on it.”