THE Scottish Tories will reportedly ban media from its leadership hustings amid the contest to replace Douglas Ross.
It comes after a number of party figures hit out at the SNP for making a similar decision during the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon, though this was later overturned by the party.
In a post on Twitter/X, journalist Georgia Edkins said: “NEW: @ScotTories are banning media from its leadership hustings.
“We had this last year with the SNP. I hope the candidates push back and the decision is overturned as it was in 2023.”
Murdo Fraser, who is among the names vying to replace Ross, described the decision as "disappointing".
"As a candidate, I would be happy to see the media invited to at least one of our hustings. Our messages need to get out to the wider public, not just our own @ScotTories members."
Elsewhere, Meghan Gallacher, who is also a leadership candidate, said: "Media should be welcome at our upcoming leadership hustings events.
"Candidates have already agreed to other hustings organised by broadcasters and journalists. I hope this decisions is overturned."
Russell Findlay, who was the first to declare his intention to run in the race, said he would like to see media in attendance but that the decision should be up to the members.
"As a former journalist, I'm pro transparency," he said.
"It's up to our members but I'd support media access to hustings."
The political editor with The Herald, Andrew Learmonth, said the decision was “outrageous” and added: “Last year, the Tories called the SNP ‘cowardly’ and ‘paranoid’ for not letting press into their leadership hustings.”
The National has approached the Scottish Conservatives for further comment.
Scottish Tory chair Craig Hoy was among those to criticise the SNP, saying it was “nothing short of a disgrace” that the SNP had initially banned media from its hustings.
Gallacher meanwhile previously tweeted “nothing to see here” in response to the news media would not be in attendance at SNP hustings.
As well as Findlay, Gallacher and Fraser, Jamie Greene, Liam Kerr, Brian Whittle have also entered the contest to replace Douglas Ross.
