A SENIOR Scottish Tory peer has said “shambolic” Boris Johnson must resign to save the Union.
Lord Dunlop, originally from Helensburgh, said that a successful relationship between Westminster and the devolved administrations depends on leadership that the Prime Minister does not possess.
The former Tory minister for Scotland and Northern Ireland, who led a review under PM Theresa May on devolution, said that Johnson is “another accident waiting to happen”.
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It comes after Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, backed by the majority of his MSPs, called for Johnson to resign and wrote to the 1922 leadership committee stating his lack of confidence in the PM’s leadership.
At least six Tory MPs have called on Johnson to resign over party’s in Number 10 during lockdown restrictions and periods where socialising in groups was banned.
However, out of the six Scottish Tory MPs, only Scotland Secretary Alister Jack came forward to defend the PM last week, adding that he had asked Ross to wait for the outcome of civil servant Sue Gray’s investigation into the allegations.
Ross called on Johnson to resign, sparking a civil war between the UK and Scottish arms of the party
We told earlier how the Scottish Tories have been accused of going into “hiding” as they refused to send a representative on to a BBC political programme on Sunday morning.
Tensions have been heightened between the Scottish arm of the party and Tory HQ, after Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg called Ross a “lightweight” figure in the party.
Dunlop told the Sunday Times: “He’s another accident waiting to happen. That’s why his position needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.
READ MORE: 'Breakaway' Tory party wouldn't solve Douglas Ross's problems, Curtice warns
“Otherwise his shambolic governing style will continue to sabotage the substance of the government’s work.”
Johnson has not been seen since his disastrous appearance at PMQs, after heading into isolation reportedly due to a family member testing positive for Covid-19.
Earlier this week, the UK Government announced the PM will chair a new council made up of heads of the devolved governments in a bid to strengthen ties within the Union.
Meanwhile, Dunlop added that Johnson doesn’t have the leadership qualities to “strengthen” the Union.
Dunlop said that Johnson is not fit to lead or keep the Union intact
He added: “There’s no more important work than strengthening our UK Union.
“This week the government announced an agreement with the devolved administrations brokered by Michael Gove on important reforms to how they work together more effectively. Their success will depend on the leadership, commitment and attitude of the prime minister.
“I don’t see Boris, whose authority is so weakened, being able to provide the necessary leadership the country needs at this time. It pains me to say it, but it’s time for him to go.”
Meanwhile, a former Cabinet minister who was sacked by Johnson has said it is the “wrong time” to be considering changing the leader.
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Dr Liam Fox, the former trade secretary, writing in the Mail On Sunday, said: “I did not vote for Boris Johnson in the last Conservative leadership election.
“He subsequently sacked me from the Cabinet, as he was perfectly entitled to do.
“So, I cannot be accused of being a sycophant in writing that this is absolutely the wrong time for the Conservative Party to think about a change of leader.”
Former Cabinet minister Liam Fox backed Boris Johnson staying as PM
The North Somerset MP said he was not suggesting “all is well in the Johnson premiership” and that the Sue Gray inquiry into whether Covid rules were broken has “opened a ‘one rule for one and another rule for others’ narrative that is difficult to dispel”.
But he added: “We should defer judgment … It is not a time for a leadership challenge.”
Johnson is reportedly planning a mass clear-out of staff in a bid to keep him in the job as PM.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson in 'last chance saloon' as eight out of 10 Scots say he must resign
Other plans to keep the PM in post include a Number 10 workplace “booze ban” and handing control over asylum seekers who try to reach the UK via the English Channel to the military, The Times reports.
And, on Sunday, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries warned a freeze on the BBC licence fee would be “the last” as the government intends to pursue a different funding model.
However, the announcement was criticised as having potential implications for press freedom.
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