Toxic Tories

Ross facing calls to go from own party after Conservatives take hammering at elections and Labour claim 2nd place

- PAUL HUTCHEON

BELEAGUERED Douglas Ross's position as Scottish Tory leader is under threat after his party was hammered at the local council elections.

A party MSP told the Record informal talks have already taken place about dumping Ross after the Conservatives lost dozens of councillors and second place to Labour.

The parliamentarian said Ross's U-turn on Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Partygate had been a disaster.

They also accused him of not being "empathetic" or "warm", adding: "He doesn't have a lot of built-up loyalty.

"He doesn't do the rounds. He doesn't touch base. He's not a people person.

“He has just lost all credibility.” The local authority results were a disaster for Ross after the SNP recorded a strong first place and Labour relegated the Tories to a distant third.

On Ross's watch, the Conservatives lost more than 60 seats, falling to 212.

The Tories recorded big losses in Glasgow and slumped to fifth place in Edinburgh behind the Greens.

In an interview with the BBC, Ross blamed Johnson and the lockdown parties for the defeat.

He said the results were "very disappointing” and the public had sent a message to the Prime Minister, “particularly around Partygate”.

However, senior party figures insisted the Scottish Tory leader is himself culpable and his position untenable.