SCOTTISH Tories have dodged questions over whether Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister.
Several Conservative MSPs refused to answer questions about how their leader Douglas Ross should respond to new bombshell evidence which suggests Johnson lied to parliament about parties in the corridors of power during lockdown.
The SNP have called on Ross to resubmit his letter of no confidence but senior figures in the Scottish branch avoided giving views when asked in Holyrood on Tuesday.
NEW: Scottish Conservative chief whip won't say whether Douglas Ross should resubmit letter of no confidence in Boris Johnson.@RealStephenKerr says 'that's a matter for Douglas'.
— Representing Border (@ITVBorderRB) May 24, 2022
He says he's 'disappointed and angry' about #partygate photos showing PM raising a glass pic.twitter.com/EinE1NJpdg
ITV Border’s political show Representing Border asked MSPs such as Tory chief whip Stephen Kerr and the party’s deputy leader what action Ross should take.
READ MORE: No 10 insiders blame Boris Johnson for Covid rule-breaking in bombshell testimony
Photographs were published by ITV News yesterday which showed Johnson attending a boozy party in Westminster on November 13, 2020 – at a time when the UK was in strict lockdown.
Kerr, Ross’ chief enforcer in Holyrood, told the channel the photographs were “disappointing”.
He said: “I think Douglas has said how we all feel, which is disappointed and angry.”
But when asked if Ross should resubmit his no-confidence letter, Kerr said: “That’s a matter for Douglas, I’m sure you’ll ask him.”
Meghan Gallacher, the party’s deputy leader in Holyrood, dodged questioning entirely.
Asked the same question, she responded: “Sorry, I’ve got business in the chamber, thank you.”
Shadow social justice secretary Miles Briggs stuck to the party line, describing the pictures – which showed Johnson making a toast – as “disappointing” but did not answer when asked about his boss’ next moves.
Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay made no comment as he rushed past the TV cameras.
Backbencher Alexander Stewart said: “Still disappointed, dismayed and disgusted and I haven’t changed my views, that’s my views at the very start of this process and still believe that.”
But he walked off as the reported asked whether Ross should renew his calls for the Prime Minister to step down.
READ MORE: 'I would love for him to go': Public health minister blasts boozy PM pics
Johnson is facing renewed pressure to resign after the photographs were published.
He had specifically denied attending a party on the date the pictures were taken – leading to accusations he had lied to parliament over widespread lawbreaking in Downing Street during the pandemic.
The Metropolitan Police – who handed out 126 fines to 83 people over the course of their Partygate probe – is also facing questions over whether the force properly investigated Westminster lawbreaking.
The National has approached the Scottish Conservatives for confirmation of whether Ross will resubmit his letter.
Ross withdrew his calls for the Prime Minister to resign following the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel