A SCOTTISH Tory leadership frontrunner has said he is “aghast” at “smear stories” aimed at his rivals – and has issued a strong condemnation of the conduct in the contest to replace Douglas Ross.
Ross, who was forced into an embarrassing resignation in the middle of the General Election campaign, will step down as Scottish Tory leader once a replacement can be found.
Late on Sunday, MSP Russell Findlay became the first to throw his hat into the ring to take over as Scottish Conservative group leader.
However, Findlay’s supporters have been accused of acting as an “establishment cabal” and planting negative stories about possible competitors in the right-wing media.
The allegations surfaced after two stories appeared in the Scottish Daily Mail aimed at Meghan Gallacher and Jamie Greene, two names spoken about as potential challengers for the top job.
Gallacher did not understand that VAT was reserved to Westminster, one story said, while the other claimed Greene could be “deselected as a candidate for Holyrood by local members” due to a focus on “woke” issues.
Now, Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Tory business spokesperson, has spoken strongly against the planting of “smear stories”, which he said left him “aghast”.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Fraser said it would be “impossible” for any candidate to unite a party filled with MSPs and activists who “behave in this way”.
Fraser added: “This sort of behaviour is entirely self-defeating and destructive.”
The Tory MSP previously ran for leadership of the group in 2011, but ultimately lost to Ruth Davidson.
During that bid, Fraser pitched the idea of a split from the UK Conservatives, an idea which has again been floated ahead of the race to replace Ross.
Fraser has not yet confirmed he will run, nor that he will aim to take the Scottish Tories in their own direction.
Findlay has confirmed a bid, but insisted that dividing from the UK Conservatives is not the right route for the party.
Findlay has also denied being involved in leaking smear stories about Greene and Gallacher, though others have said they are coming from his supporters.
Responding to Fraser’s condemnation, Findlay told The Telegraph: “I hope all other candidates approach this contest in the right spirit. I fully agree with my colleague Murdo Fraser that everyone must remember we’re all on the same team. As he says, those engaging in this behaviour must stop. We must not turn inwards and fight amongst ourselves.”
Almost one-third of the entire Scottish Tory MSP group has said they are considering a run at the leadership.
Excluding Ross and former leader Jackson Carlaw, there are 29 Tory MSPs, nine of whom are thinking about running.
