'The door remains open': Ousted Tory MP considers Holyrood 2026 comeback

OUSTED Tory MP David Duguid has said he is considering a 2026 Holyrood election comeback.

The news comes after Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said he had been in contact with Duguid and would welcome him as a candidate for 2026.

Duguid was barred from running by Scottish Conservative officials for the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat in the General Election, citing health reasons.

Earlier this year, he suffered a spinal stroke and subsequently contracted pneumonia, telling the BBC he “flatlined” on two occasions.

Douglas Ross became the new candidate and the former Scottish Tory leader later insisted he had “absolutely nothing to do with” the decision to block Duguid from standing, despite a major U-turn on his pledge not to stand as an MP.

Ross (below right) had previously said publicly he would not seek re-election to Westminster, to focus on his priorities in Holyrood as Scottish Tory leader.

New leader Findlay told the Press and Journal that he had been in contact with Duguid (above left), and said: “David knows the value I have in his fantastic contribution as an MP, and he knows the door remains open.

“He’s under no pressure to decide what his future might look like, but I’d very much like for him to feel welcome as a potential candidate going into 2026.”

In response, Duguid said: “As I focused on my recovery over the summer, I have also been considering my options going forward.

“I may consider standing again if the right opportunity arose.”