THE Owen Paterson lobbying scandal, or more accurately the UK Government’s botched cover-up, has once again put Tory sleaze at the top of the agenda.
Coupled with a fresh cash for honours row and questions over Boris Johnson’s most recent holiday, it’s not been the best of weeks for the Prime Minister.
But what does his branch office manager make of it all?
Douglas Ross was put on the spot after Johnson refused to back an outright ban on second jobs for MPs. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Ross urged people to detach themselves from reality when considering this debate, something he is well accustomed to.
“I think we’ve got to look at, not what might happen in reality, but what is the perception,” the Scottish Tory leader said.
“And if the perception is MPs are gaining financially from lobbying, through firms that they might be involved with in votes at Parliament or committee decisions, then I think that must be looked at.”
READ MORE: Tory MPs bring in up to £1.6m each in second jobs
He added: “I think when you are dealing with a company that has a financial interest in decisions you are making, as a member of the Government or a Member of Parliament, then that does look like a conflict of interest and something we shouldn’t have.”
The Moray MP continued: “MPs are well paid, they are well supported for doing a role and it is a busy role in itself and I think to then take further funds from companies to potentially look to assist them in any way as a Member of Parliament is something that’s wrong.”
“That does look like a conflict of interest and something we shouldn’t have”
— Glenn Campbell (@GlennBBC) November 9, 2021
Scottish Conservative leader @Douglas4Moray says it is “wrong” for MPs to be paid by companies with a financial interest in decisions taken in Parliament pic.twitter.com/01DGAd1SPn
Ross, who in case you weren’t aware is also and MSP and a part-time assistant football referee, wasn’t let off the hook so easily on social media.
SNP MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead replied: “And neither should this Tory be a member of both the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments at the same time.”
READ MORE: Scotland's richest MSP Alexander Burnett updates register of interests
Another Twitter user wrote: “Said the man with three jobs…”
Scots signer Iona Fyfe wrote: “Haud the bus, doesn’t big Doug have three jobs? But aye, corruption is bad.”
Haud the bus, doesn’t big Doug have three jobs? But aye, corruption is bad. https://t.co/pDAaloy3kP
— Iona Fyfe (@ionafyfe) November 9, 2021
A further comment read: “The absolute irony of @Douglas4Moray stating that MPs are well paid for a busy role when he is also an MSP and PT football ref is ballsy. I’ll give him that.”
We’d suggest Douglas Ross give himself another job – learn to be more self-aware.
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