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Pressure grows on Tory MSP to explain refereeing commitments

Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross officiated the recent match between Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross officiated the recent match between Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon

Tory MSP Douglas Ross is facing further pressure to explain his refereeing commitments after it emerged he previously indicated he would be unavailable for mid-week fixtures.

The Highlands and Islands member faced criticism earlier this week when he skipped a meeting of Holyrood’s justice committee to officiate a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon.

Mr Ross – who is also a Moray councilor – did not attend a meeting of the local authority’s policy and resources committee because of the commitment.

Last night, it emerged that the Tory MSP had previously suggested he would be unable to referee mid-week games if he was elected to parliament.

And the SNP has claimed Mr Ross must have “volunteered” for the Champions League match this week, given UEFA assumes referees are unavailable unless they say otherwise.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservative’s said Mr Ross was the victim of an SNP “witchhunt”

But Nationalist MSP James Dornan said: “Douglas Ross has insisted that he’ll continue to skip his parliamentary duties to take glamour trips abroad with his £40k-a-year third job.

“Yet in the past Mr Ross assured voters that he’d give up midweek games and only referee on weekends. He needs to tell us – what’s changed?

“And why has he repeatedly volunteered for midweek games knowing that this would mean being AWOL in his day job?”

Mr Dornan described Mr Ross’ behaviour as “arrogant”, despite the Highlands MSP insisting his elected roles remain his “main priority”.

On Thursday, Mr Ross defended his role as a referee, arguing that voters prefer politicians to have “outside interests”.

In an interview with the Scottish Football Association ahead of the 2010 General Election – when Mr Ross was running for the Moray constituency – he indicated it would be difficult to “juggle” mid-week fixtures with a parliamentary career, but that it would still be possible for him to referee weekend matches.

He said: “MP’s are back in their constituencies every weekend and while some may relax with their family, go hill walking or take part in any other hobby they have I will be free to be appointed wherever required. I certainly hope that it works out that way.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives dismissed Mr Dornan’s comments.

He said: “The SNP wish they had someone of Douglas’ quality, and that’s probably what’s driving this witchhunt.

“He is committed 100%to his role as an MSP, and the party is 100% committed to him.”