'This has not gone as I had planned': Douglas Ross under pressure over expenses cover up claims

11 June 2024, 17:20 | Updated: 11 June 2024, 17:25

Douglas Ross answers reporters' questions on his expenses while campaigning in Edinburgh
Douglas Ross answers reporters' questions on his expenses while campaigning in Edinburgh. Picture: Alamy

By Gina Davidson

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has admitted to LBC that the General Election campaign has not gone to plan, as scrutiny mounts over his decision to quit amid allegations of a Westminster expenses cover up.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

He said the last few days had not been "good enough" and said he was "sorry" for the impact of his actions on Scottish Conservative voters.

He also refused to say he believed his party and Rishi Sunak will win on July 4.

Ross also said he was "comfortable" with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority reviewing his expenses after it was alleged he claimed for travel in his role as football linesman. Reports in the Sunday Mail claimed Ross’ advisers flagged concerns over 28 parliamentary travel claims that may have been combined with his football work.

He admitted the last few days had been "very challenging" for his party but reiterated that his decision to stand down as party leader after the election - and as an MSP if he's re-elected to Westminster - was as a result of listening to concerns from fellow Tory MSPs and not because of scrutiny of his expenses.

The embattled Scottish Tory chief announced on Monday he would step down from the leadership role in Holyrood following a row over his decision to contest the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat at the General Election. He had previously pledged not to run for Westminster again, saying he'd concentrate on Holyrood.

There was huge anger among Scottish Conservatives when he announced last week he would stand - as the party's management board had effectively de-selected former Scotland Office minister David Duguid who is currently recuperating from illness in hospital. Duguid has said he wants to stand for election.

Ahead of a visit to the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, which is undergoing a refurbishment project, Ross admitted to LBC: "This has not gone as I had planned, I have listened and reflected on what colleagues have said and I have responded accordingly."

He added: "It's been a very challenging few days and I'm not trying to ignore that or run away from that."

Ross said some in the MSP group had raised "legitimate concerns" about him potentially being an MP and MSP at the same time and the decision was not "universally popular".

A new leader will take the Scottish Conservatives into the 2026 Holyrood election, he said, adding: "They will be based in Holyrood to deliver what I hope will be another very good result for the Scottish Conservatives, following what I hope will be a good result in 2024."

Asked if he would apologise to Scottish Tory voters for the events of the last few days, he said: "Yeah, I'm sorry this has not been good enough. It's not how I planned the campaign.

"I didn't expect to be announcing that I would be standing down during the middle of the campaign. But I had to take a decision reflecting on what colleagues and others have said.

"The easiest thing to do would have been to hide away and do nothing, but I thought it was right to respond to those comments, to react in the way I have."

Asked if he had spoken to David Duguid about the selection row he said: “I have messaged David Duguid and I was very grateful to get a message back from him.

“I offered to speak to him. He said at the moment he would prefer to text.”

Ross also repeated he is content with IPSA reassessing whether there was any wrongdoing in his Westminster expense claims.

The SNP wrote to IPSA asking them to investigate Ross urgently and the party's deputy leader Keith Brown said: "If these allegations were fully substantiated, it would mean that Mr Ross has been abusing his public-funded Westminster expenses to unfairly fund his receipt of another, separate salary.

"It would amount to another Westminster expenses scandal carried out by the current leader of the Scottish Tory Party.

"Given the seriousness of this matter, it is in the public interest for these allegations to be investigated immediately."

Today asked if he is an expenses cheat, Douglas Ross said: “No, I am not. I am very comfortable that the expenses I have claimed have been made in my duties as a Member of Parliament. I think it's right if IPSA wants to scrutinise them, that they do so."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Boy, 14, dies after van leaves motorway and collides with tree - as father remains in 'serious condition'

Boy, 14, dies after van leaves motorway and collides with tree - as father remains in 'serious condition'

Huge blaze breaks out in east London tower block - as more than 100 firefighters tackle blaze

Huge blaze breaks out in east London tower block - as more than 100 firefighters tackle blaze

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' despite Putin's 'Easter Truce'

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' despite Putin's 'Easter Truce'

Leicester City players dejected during the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Sunday April 20, 2025.

Former Premier League Champions Leicester City relegated following 1-0 defeat to Liverpool

Supermarket cheese costing just £3.80 crowned best in UK

Supermarket cheese costing just £3.80 beats big-brand names to be crowned best in UK

A police van at the scene on Ayley Croft in Enfield, after a male was found with stab wounds, despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene. Picture date: Monday February 7, 2022.

Murder investigation launched after woman, 45, stabbed to death in north London

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, left and the winner Denmark's Holger Rune stand on the podium after the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Holger Rune stuns Carlos Alcaraz to win Barcelona Open and return to top 10

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 08: Rory McIlroy (NIR) hits a drive at the 18th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 08, 2024 in Dublin, Ohio.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy to return to action for New Orleans title defence

Husband watched in 'helpless horror' as 'beautiful wife' killed by van driver on golf course during police chase

Husband watched in 'helpless horror' as 'beautiful wife' killed by van driver on golf course during police chase

Israel fires deputy commander after 'operational misunderstanding' led to death of Gaza aid workers in IDF attack

Israel fires deputy commander as it releases report into deadly IDF attack on aid workers in Gaza

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to streets following Supreme Court ruling

Police launch investigation after seven statues damaged during London trans rights protest

An RAF Typhoon FGR4 takes off at RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, United Kingdom.

RAF fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace

British cyclist Barry Hoban receives his trophy after winning the 18th stage of the Tour de France in Bordeaux, 18th July 1968.

Tributes pour in as Tour de France legend Barry Hoban dies aged 85

Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter's basilica

Pope Francis delivers Easter blessing after battle with double pneumonia

Russia launched a wave of missile strikes at Ukraine overnight.

Russian assault continues as Zelenskyy accuses Putin of hitting Ukraine 446 times since 'Easter truce' began

c

Captain Tom's daughter slashes asking price of £2m mansion yet again after previously pulling home from market