The Scottish Tories have withdrawn a job offer to a man after claims were made he had worked for ex-Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross had told colleagues the party had hired Craig Paterson, who had reportedly worked as a senior policy adviser to Murphy.
But after Labour figures, including Murphy himself, disputed the claim it was made clear to Paterson he would not be getting the job. It is understood the Scottish Tories launched an investigation and acted after finding no evidence that tallied with the claim.
They believe Paterson may have worked for a former Labour MP, but not Murphy, who tweeted: “This story caught my attention. I have never knowingly met this guy let alone employed him in any role, ever. A bizarre fantasy from the Scottish Tories.”
A Labour source said: “Literally no one knows who this man is. But having a man who is a stranger in his own front room should come as a comfort to Douglas, at least they’ll have something to bond over.”
The farce will inevitably raise questions about the due diligence carried out by the Scottish Tories in their recruitment process.
Douglas Ross is losing key staff over the next few weeks and bringing in new blood is seen as essential. A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “We will no longer be hiring this person after new information came to light.”
Paterson could not be contacted.
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