THE Scottish Tories will reportedly ban media from its leadership hustings amid the contest to replace Douglas Ross.
It comes after a number of party figures hit out at the SNP for making a similar decision during the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon, though this was later overturned by the party.
In a post on Twitter/X, journalist Georgia Edkins said: “NEW: @ScotTories are banning media from its leadership hustings.
“We had this last year with the SNP. I hope the candidates push back and the decision is overturned as it was in 2023.”
Murdo Fraser, who is among the names vying to replace Ross, described the decision as "disappointing".
"As a candidate, I would be happy to see the media invited to at least one of our hustings. Our messages need to get out to the wider public, not just our own @ScotTories members."
Elsewhere, Meghan Gallacher, who is also a leadership candidate, said: "Media should be welcome at our upcoming leadership hustings events.
"Candidates have already agreed to other hustings organised by broadcasters and journalists. I hope this decisions is overturned."
Russell Findlay, who was the first to declare his intention to run in the race, said he would like to see media in attendance but that the decision should be up to the members.
"As a former journalist, I'm pro transparency," he said.
"It's up to our members but I'd support media access to hustings."
The political editor with The Herald, Andrew Learmonth, said the decision was “outrageous” and added: “Last year, the Tories called the SNP ‘cowardly’ and ‘paranoid’ for not letting press into their leadership hustings.”
READ MORE: Electric 'super highway' between Scotland and England given go-ahead
The National has approached the Scottish Conservatives for further comment.
Scottish Tory chair Craig Hoy was among those to criticise the SNP, saying it was “nothing short of a disgrace” that the SNP had initially banned media from its hustings.
Gallacher meanwhile previously tweeted “nothing to see here” in response to the news media would not be in attendance at SNP hustings.
As well as Findlay, Gallacher and Fraser, Jamie Greene, Liam Kerr, Brian Whittle have also entered the contest to replace Douglas Ross.
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