THE Scottish Conservative group at Holyrood is led by Russell Findlay, the party’s former head of communications.
Findlay joined the party’s media team in 2020, before being elected in 2021 and taking over leadership in 2024.
Read on for the latest news and updates about Scottish Conservative group leader Russell Findlay.
The latest headlines linked to Scottish Conservative group leader Russell Findlay:
October 10: Wee Ginger Dug: Embrace of hard right spells trouble for Russell Findlay
October 10: What the UK Tory leadership contest means for Scottish Conservatives
October 8: Scottish Tories announce new frontbench team – with no role for Douglas Ross
When did Russell Findlay become the leader of the Scottish Conservatives?
Ross had been forced to step down after it emerged that he had been lying to his own colleagues about his intention not to stand for Westminster again in 2024.
There were also concerns raised that Ross had looked to hand his Scottish Tory leadership position to Findlay without a real contest.
Who did Russell Findlay beat to become the leader of the Scottish Conservatives?
Russell Findlay became the leader of the Scottish Tories after a three-month contest which involved almost one-third of the MSP group at Holyrood.
As well as Findlay, Jamie Greene, Meghan Gallacher, Murdo Fraser, Liam Kerr, and Brian Whittle all threw their hats into the ring to take over from Ross.
When was Russell Findlay elected to the Scottish parliament?
However, Findlay had been given an all-but guaranteed seat as the Scottish Tories put him first on their West Scotland regional list (below Jackson Carlaw, who held his Eastwood constituency).
Findlay has represented the West Scotland region at Holyrood since May 2021.
What did Russell Findlay do before becoming a Scottish Conservative MSP?
Before being elected to the Scottish Parliament for the Conservatives, Findlay worked as the group’s director of communications. He took the role in September 2020, just eight months before being elected an MSP for the party.
Before working for the Scottish Tories, Findlay was a journalist and reporter for more than 25 years. He worked at the Sun, Daily Mail, and STV, among other outlets.
While working for the Sun in 2015 and reporting on Glasgow gangs, Findlay was targeted in an acid and knife attack. In 2017, his attacker William Burns was given a 15-year sentence for the incident.
