Douglas Ross' position on PM 'hasn't changed'

Scottish Conservative Party leader Douglas Ross’ position on Boris Johnson “hasn’t changed”, according to the former’s spokesperson.

Ross previously voted against Johnson in a vote of confidence, after submitting a letter to the Conservative’s powerful 1922 Committee, calling for the vote to be held. However, after Johnson survived the challenge, which under Conservative Party rules grants him 12 months of immunity from another vote of confidence, Ross said he was not in favour of changing the rules, describing himself as a “stickler to the rules”.

The Scottish Tory leader was joined by fellow Scottish MPs John Lamont, Andrew Bowie and David Mundell in voting against the Prime Minister, while the Scottish Secretary of State Alister Jack and MP David Duguid stood by the PM.

Jack is so far the only Scottish Tory MP to publicly back Johnson, in light of the Chris Pincher scandal.

Jack said: “I fully support the Prime Minister. I am sorry to see good colleagues resign, but we have a big job of work to do, and that’s what we’re getting on with.”

BBC’s Good Morning Scotland has reported that neither Douglas Ross, Alistair Jack or any Scottish Conservative MPs were willing to speak to them.

This morning, Stephen Kerr, chief whip for the Scottish Tories in Holyrood said: “Yesterday was a busy and chaotic day. However, in the 300-plus-year history of the United Kingdom, it's just one more chapter.

"The UK is bigger than any person, government, party, or policy- and people seeking to break it up off the back of any of those aren't being honest with you.

"The PM won a vote of confidence in his leadership last month and is safe from another vote for a year unless rules are changed.”