DOUGLAS Ross has confirmed he intends to stand at the General Election – despite previously pledging not to do so.
We previously reported how the Scottish Tory leader had called a last-minute press conference in Edinburgh to make an “election announcement”.
It comes after former Scotland Office minister David Duguid was not selected as the party’s candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, with a party spokesperson citing health as the reason.
Speaking in 2022, Ross was adamant that he would not stand again, saying: "I won't contest Moray again at the next election, whether it's 23 or 24."
Ross had been an MP since unexpectedly defeating then-SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson in the 2017 General Election.
Speaking at a hastily-arranged press conference Ross said he would seek the nomination for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
"Over the last 12 hours, I have thought long and hard about this and considered the options," he said.
"I've spoken with my wife, my family, colleagues and local members. I've decided I need to lead from the front, so this evening I will put myself forward for nomination as Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East."
He added that he "intends to beat the SNP" in the seat and said: "I fully expect the SNP to throw absolutely everything they've got at me.
"They will mobilise teams from the central belt to come north and deliver leaflets. John Swinney will pay the area a rare visit, SNP headquarters in Edinburgh will pour money into Aberdeen North and Moray East."
But, he added, if people "come together," then the Tories can "keep the nationalists out".
Ross's former Moray constituency has been abolished under boundary changes and has now been cut in two with Keith and Buckie being swallowed up by Aberdeenshire North and Moray East while Elgin joins a new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey seat.
He has also been an MSP for the Highlands and Islands since 2021.
Duguid, who has been the MP for Banff and Buchan since 2017, said on Wednesday he had not been selected to stand in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.
He recently spent four weeks in the intensive care unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to an illness affecting his spine.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Tories said: "David Duguid is unfortunately unable to stand in this election.
"David has been an excellent MP and great local representative for the last seven years. We thank David for all his hard work for the party, we look forward to his recovery to full health, and hope that he will want to rejoin frontline politics in the future."
